Former Director of Psychiatric Forensic Center Admits Receiving Bribes for Falsifying Mental Health Reports

In Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, former directors and officials of psychiatric forensic centers are on trial for allegedly falsifying mental health diagnoses and accepting bribes in return. During a court hearing on September 10, Tran Van Thanh, former director of the Tay Nguyen Regional Psychiatric Forensic Center, admitted to receiving VND 160 million to issue a favorable psychiatric report for a defendant. According to the Supreme People's Procuracy's indictment, from January 2016 to June 2024, many leaders, doctors, and appraisers at the Central Psychiatric Forensic Institute of Bien Hoa and the Tay Nguyen Regional Psychiatric Forensic Center were accused of receiving, giving, or brokering money to influence forensic examinations. The procuracy has identified 29 cases, resulting in 26 falsified forensic conclusions, three falsified medical records, and one case of improper transfer for treatment. Those who "arranged" for these conclusions were individuals under investigation, trial, or serving sentences for various crimes, aiming to be determined as having limited or lost cognitive and behavioral control to avoid, delay, or receive lighter penalties. Mr. Thanh testified specifically regarding the case of Nguyen Trong Hiep, a defendant investigated by Dak Lak Provincial Police for organizing gambling. While denying pressuring appraisal council members to issue a conclusion favorable to Hiep, Thanh admitted to persuasion. He stated that he was informed by Dr. Ha Ngoc Khanh (a doctor at the Central Psychiatric Forensic Institute of Bien Hoa, alleged to be an intermediary) about "seeking help" for Hiep, after which the council members agreed. The prosecution alleges that Mr. Thanh directed appraisers to change the initial assessment of Hiep's condition from "limited" to "lost" cognitive and behavioral control, receiving VND 160 million for this. In response, Mr. Thanh testified that he distributed approximately VND 3 million to each appraiser. Furthermore, after the Dak Lak Provincial Procuracy requested a re-examination of Hiep, he again sought a favorable conclusion from the Central Psychiatric Forensic Institute of Bien Hoa, paying VND 520 million. In this instance, the institute's director and appraisal council members were also alleged to have received money. This case raises serious questions about the reliability of psychiatric evaluations within Vietnam's justice system. The determination of a defendant's mental capacity is crucial for the application of criminal penalties, making the fairness of these assessments paramount. The alleged bribery scheme suggests that official corruption could undermine the integrity of judicial proceedings.