Policeman charged over custody death
HA NOI — Police officer Second Lieutenant Nguyen The Nghiep has been charged over the death in custody of a man in northern Bac Giang province's Tan Yen District. The provincial police chief has decided to remove Nghiep's title of People's Police and proceed against him two weeks after Nguyen Van Khuong, 21, of the district's Hong Thai Commune, died at the district police station or on his way to hospital on July 23.
Khuong was arrested after he had allegedly committed traffic offences.
Nghiep was assigned responsibility for the dead man soon after he was taken to the police station.
The provincial People's Procuracy says the accused officer has admitted having shaken Khuong while pushing him into an office.
Another policeman had the man sent to hospital after it was discovered that he had developed "health problems" during interrogation.
The young man was reported dead on arrival.
His body was released to his family the next day after the provincial police and People's Procuracy had completed their forensic examinations.
The Central Coroner's Office conducted an autopsy at the family's request on July 24, and the results show that the dead man died of blood accumulation in the vessels of his brain.
The impact of an object had caused the fatal injury.
Four other Tan Yen District police officers have been suspended while investigations continue. — VNS