Initial information recorded by authorities clearly shows that the purpose of the criminals was to dig up graves to take the remains for extortion.
Previously, on September 10, Ms. Hoang Thi L, in Quang Luu commune, went to the Quang Loc commune police department to report that a stranger texted her with the content of preparing 5 billion VND for the subject, otherwise she would not see her father-in-law's remains and could not report to the police.
Immediately after receiving the information, Quang Loc Commune Police and Ms. L's family went to the cemetery where Ms. L's father-in-law was buried to check and found that the deceased's grave had been dug up.
On the night of September 10, the forensic force of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police conducted an examination of the scene to clarify the incident. The results showed that a part of the remains (head) of the deceased had been stolen by a thief.
Kidnapping living people for ransom has happened many times, but digging up graves to retrieve the remains of the deceased that just happened in Thanh Hoa is no different from "kidnapping the dead" for ransom.
This is a very cruel and evil method to the deceased. The criminals dare to dig up other people's graves, not to find hidden treasures, but to deliberately take away a part of the remains with evil intentions. They know clearly that no one will let the remains of their loved ones be taken away, so they will have to pay a ransom.
"Kidnapping the dead" for ransom is a very dangerous crime. In 2022, in Thai Binh, there was a case of grave robbery to take the remains and demand a ransom of 300 million VND.
Folk customs, beliefs, and religions in Vietnam all have sacred and solemn rituals for the dead, from funerals to burials and tomb building. Educated and cultured people always show respect for the deceased, through the way they treat graves, cemeteries, and the forms of worship, commemoration, and death anniversaries...
Therefore, digging graves to "kidnap" the dead is immoral and illegal.
On September 12, the police of Quang Xuong district, Thanh Hoa province, announced that they had arrested a suspect who had dug up a grave, taken away part of the remains, and then demanded ransom. The investigation agency recovered the missing remains and handed them over to the family. The suspect is Luu Thanh Nam (37 years old, from Trieu Cong village, Quang Loc commune, Quang Xuong district).
Article 319 of the 2015 Penal Code stipulates: Anyone who digs or destroys graves, appropriates objects placed in or on graves, or commits other acts of violating corpses, graves, or remains, shall be subject to non-custodial reform for up to 02 years or imprisonment from 03 months to 02 years.
The above case must be investigated, clarified and handled according to the law to prevent this dangerous crime.
