Police in Lam Dong Province have arrested Nguyen Tu Tin, the ex-husband of the victim in a notorious case in which a woman was allegedly tortured by her in-laws under the guise of “exorcism.”
The arrest, made on Thursday afternoon, is part of a renewed investigation into the case that once drew widespread attention in Phan Thiet City (formerly part of Binh Thuan Province). Tin is being investigated for unlawful detention, according to provincial police.
Initial findings show that between December 4, 2023, and April 15, 2024, the victim — Tran Thi Bich D., 33 — was locked inside a house on Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Street, Phu Thuy Ward, by her former sisters-in-law Nguyen Thi Hoai Diem and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan. Believing she was “possessed by evil spirits,” the pair hired guards and prevented her from leaving the house to conduct what they called a “ritual to drive away demons.”
The police arrested the suspect Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan (ex-sister-in-law of Ms. D.) to serve the investigation.
They reportedly paid VND 2 million (US$80) to Nguyen Hong Tam and VND 4.9 million (US$200) to their son-in-law Tran Huu Tinh to take turns guarding the victim.
On April 18, 2024, the woman managed to escape and reported the incident to local authorities. Tam and Tinh later surrendered and confessed their involvement.
Subsequent raids uncovered weapons, wooden hammers, ropes, paper effigies, and seals inscribed with religious symbols such as “Cuu Thien Huyen Nu” — associated with a local cult practice.
During an expanded investigation, the victim testified that she had been repeatedly beaten by her ex-husband Tin and his sisters using their hands, bottles, wooden pestles, and mortars, targeting her face, chest, and genital area under the claim of “expelling evil spirits.”
A forensic report concluded that she suffered a broken nasal bone and two fractured ribs, with a total bodily injury rate of 20%.
The court later determined that, in addition to unlawful detention, several individuals may face charges of intentional injury and aiding and abetting, with Nguyen Tu Tin identified as one of the ringleaders.
Temporarily detain defendant Nguyen Thi Hoai Diem in the case
The case, widely referred to as the “exorcism torture of the sister-in-law”, is under continued investigation by Lam Dong authorities.
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Source: Vietnam Insider