Han Duc Long, who was wrongly imprisoned for 11 years, has asked for compensation of VND20 billion ($883,000).

Han Duc Long

Vu Thi Nga, Long's lawyer, said on May 23 that Long had officially submitted the application for compensation after taking six months to rest, improve health and his memory.

He asked for compensation for six losses and lost earnings. If he hadn't been imprisoned, Long, his wife and siblings might have had earned a total of VND4bn (USD176,300). 

Secondly, he asked for VND1bn compensation for mental anguish, VND5bn for damaged dignity and reputation, VND100m for bad health and VND200m for total costs of transportation, accommodation and other legal and court fees.   

He also wanted to be compensated for the related costs as he was still asked to go to work with the authorities in Hanoi after being released from prison.

In May 2005, the body of Nguyen Thi Yen, born in 2000, was found. Four months later, the provincial police suspended the case and encouraged local people to denounce the killer. 

A neighbour claimed that Long had raped her and her daughter and Yen. While being investigated, it was said that Long admitted to raping and killing Yen.

Long was sentenced to death by Bac Giang Province People's Court and Supreme People's Court in four hearings from 2007 to 2011. Long claimed he was innocent and that his statement was taken under duress.

In 2014, the Supreme People's Court reopened the case to clear up conflicting details of the case. 

President Truong Tan Sang asked the judicial agencies to re-investigate the case after receiving the petition from Long's family.

On August 25, Bac Giang People's Procuracy announced that they had returned the case to Bac Giang police for further investigation as there was not enough evidence to accuse Long of murder.  

dtinews