VietNamNet Bridge - The Procuracy of the Czech city of Brno has prosecuted a policeman on suspicion of brutally interrogating a Vietnamese national, resulting in his death, reported the Vietnamese embassy.

Hoang Son Lam, 44, from Hanoi , was arrested by two local police officers in Brno on January 4 during a night-time house search. He was detained in police custody and was found dead the following day.

A Brno city Procuracy spokesman confirmed suspicions that Lam had died as a result of injuries he had sustained whilst in custody.

The police officer who is suspected of stabbing Lam has been charged with bodily harm, resulting in death and other charges pertaining to an abuse of power.

Two of his colleagues also face standing trial on charges of failing to act to prevent their colleague from stabbing the detainee.

The Vietnamese embassy said that it immediately sent out a diplomatic memo regarding the issue to the Minister of Interior, the Foreign Ministry, Police chiefs of the Czech Republic and of Brno city, and other responsible agencies in the Czech Republic .

Ambassador Vuong Thua Phong met with the Director of the Police’s Immigration Department under the Czech Ministry of Interior, V. Husak, to express his deep concern and to lodge an official protest regarding the actions of the police regarding this matter.

He asked the Czech authorities to conduct a rapid investigation and to make the results public, as well as ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The ambassador also asked Czech police to take necessary and effective measures to ensure the safety of Vietnamese citizens working in their country.

“There must not be any similar cases in future,” the ambassador warned.

Husak apologised over the matter and vowed to hurry the investigation so as to put the perpetrators behind bars as soon as possible.

The Czech public has also expressed its anger and disgust over the case. The President of the Czech Republic-Vietnam Association, M. Winter, has sent an open letter of protest to the Czech Republic ’s Minister of the Interior and the General Police Department.

The Czech Minister of the Interior, Ivan Langer admitted during a press conference that the case was both regrettable and unfortunate.

The Vietnamese embassy has been working alongside the association of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic and Brno city to repatriate Lam’s body.     

(Source: VNA)