Suspect Doan Thi Huong (Source: AFP) Deputy Director General of theForeign Ministry’s Consular Department Bui Quoc Thanh told the media on April12 that since the case occurred on February 13, the ministry has directed theVietnamese embassy in Malaysia and other agencies to seek defence lawyers forHuong.
On March 29, the Vietnam BarFederation (VBF) in coordination with the embassy hired Malaysian nationals HisyamTeh Toh Teik and Naran Singh to defend the suspect in court. They will besupported by four other associates.
The VBF also assigned threeleading Vietnamese lawyers to assist their Malaysian counterparts during theprocess.
On April 12, Doan Van Thanh,father of Huong, visited her in prison. Following the visit, the embassyinformed that Huong is still in good health and together with her father, sheextended thanks to the embassy for its support to the visit.
During working sessions betweenrelevant Vietnamese agencies and Malaysian lawyers, both Vietnamese andMalaysian lawyers expressed their belief that Huong will be acquitted and theyare collecting evidence to submit to the court.
About specific measures toprotect Huong’s interests, Thanh said the ministry along with the VBF and embassyin Malaysia will attend hearings, working sessions and make consular visits toher to closely follow the legal proceedings.
In the home country, the ministrywill also partner with departments, agencies and the VBF to track the case, headded.-VNA
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