Five Sentenced to Prison for Deadly 'Exorcism' Ritual in Vietnam

The Tây Ninh Provincial People's Court has handed down sentences to five individuals involved in a horrific "exorcism" ritual that resulted in the deaths of two people. The court sentenced Mai Văn Hậu, Mai Thị Lành, Mai Trọng Hiếu, Nguyễn Minh Trí, and Mai Văn Thảo to prison terms ranging from 7 to 10 years for murder. Mai Văn Thảo received an additional nine-year sentence for prior drug-related offenses.

The tragic events unfolded in October 2023 when Mai Thị Nhớ, who believed her deceased father had possessed her, instructed her family to perform a "atonement" ritual. During this ceremony, Nhớ and Mai Thị Tuyền, who were deemed mentally unfit to stand trial due to schizophrenia and paranoia, claimed that "demons" had entered the participants. They instructed everyone to cover themselves with blankets to "exorcise" the spirits.

Anh Mai Trọng Trung and his son, cháu Đặng Trọng Quí, were singled out as being possessed. The group then restrained Trung, poured alcohol and tea into his mouth, used burning incense on his body, and beat him in an attempt to drive out the supposed demons. This violent ordeal continued for hours, throughout the night. The ritual escalated the next morning when cháu Quí was also subjected to similar abuse. The perpetrators only realized the severity of the situation when both father and son became unresponsive. Despite attempts at first aid and reporting to the police, both had already succumbed to their injuries, including suffocation, multiple traumas, burns, and broken teeth.

The court recognized the extreme danger of the defendants' actions, driven by superstition, which directly violated the victims' right to life and resulted in severe consequences. Beyond the two fatalities, several other family members were hospitalized due to exhaustion from the prolonged, forced participation in the ritual, which involved deprivation of food and water and a ban on using mobile phones.