Vietnam president reduces death sentence to life for 18 prisoners

The decision is made as stipulated in the Constitution and laws, and at the proposals of the presiding judge of the Supreme People's Court, the prosecutor general of the Supreme People's Procuracy and the chairperson of the Presidential Office.

According to the office, this decision demonstrates the leniency and humanitarian policy of the Communist Party and the State towards people who have committed serious crimes, giving them the opportunities to return to their families and the community.

The president made a similar decision for 11 prisoners in August, on the occasion of the country's Independence Day Sept. 2.

Vietnam's Penal Code stipulates that a person sentenced to death can petition for a life sentence within seven days after the court verdict takes effect.