Police officers detained for using corporal punishment

Pham Quang Hung, former deputy head of the detainment facility of the police of Vu Thu District, and Trinh Thanh Hung, former deputy head of the law enforcement and legal support team of police of Vu Thu District, were arrested on Friday to be investigated for using corporal punishment against a detainee.

In January, the two former officers had tortured 48-year-old Bui Van Bich, who was detained for allegedly brokering prostitution. They put him on a chair for interrogation, tied up his arms and legs and left him in a yard in cold weather.

Following long periods of torture, Bich was diagnosed with bronchitis, which led to respiratory failure. Bich died on February 20 and his family filed documents to call for an investigation.