Vietnam abolishes death penalty for embezzlement, saving the life of a prominent tycoon.

HANOI, Vietnam — Starting next month, Vietnam will eliminate the death penalty for eight specific offenses, such as embezzlement and actions intended to overthrow the government, as announced by parliament on Wednesday. This legislative change spares the life of a prominent tycoon involved in a significant fraud case worth $12 billion. The National Assembly unanimously approved this amendment to the Criminal Code, which officially abolishes the death penalty for these crimes.

According to the official Vietnam News Agency, other offenses set to be exempt from capital punishment include vandalism of state property, production of counterfeit medications, threats to peace, inciting invasive wars, espionage, and drug-related activities. Consequently, individuals found guilty of these crimes will now face life imprisonment as their maximum penalty. For those already sentenced to death for these offenses prior to July 1 and who have not yet been executed, their sentences will automatically be reduced to life imprisonment.

This change affects figures such as Truong My Lan, the chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group and a real estate tycoon who was sentenced to death last year for embezzlement. Lawyer Ngo Anh Tuan, who is not affiliated with Lan’s defense, indicated that the newly passed amendment will result in an automatic reduction of her sentence. Despite these changes, ten offenses will still carry the death penalty in Vietnam, including murder, treason, terrorism, and sexual abuse of children.

Drug trafficking will also remain punishable by death. It is important to note that information regarding capital punishment in Vietnam is considered a state secret, leaving the exact number of individuals on death row undisclosed. Since 2011, lethal injection has been the sole method of execution following the abolition of firing squads.