The Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia is working with local authorities to protect the rights and interests of a Vietnamese sailor who has been sentenced to death for killing a fellow countryman last year. Under instructions by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassy is asking relevant Malaysian agencies to arrange for its representatives to make a consular visit to the convicted Nguyen Hong Quang, 49, the ministry’s consular department told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Thursday. Quang was sentenced to death by hanging after being found guilty by the High Court of the State of Sarawak in Malaysia on January 13, according to Borneo Post Online, which is a newspaper headquartered in Malaysia.  The court ruled that Quang killed Ngo Trong Cuong, his fellow countryman, on board the cargo ship M.V. Brave Oven while docked at Tanjung Manis Anchorage on the Rajang River in Sarawak at 12:30 am on March 22, 2013, according to information obtained by Tuoi Tre. Quang, who hailed from the northern Vietnamese province of Son La, worked as the first engineer of the cargo ship while Cuong, 40, was the captain, Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper reported.

The man was given a mandatory death sentence by hanging as he was convicted under Section 302 of the Malaysian Penal Code, Borneo Post Online said. The court summoned to the trial 15 witnesses against Quang, who is now being detained at Sibu prison in Sarawak, the Malaysian newspaper added.

Judge Lee Heng Cheong pointed out in his judgment that the prosecution had proved the charge against the accused beyond all reasonable doubt, according to Borneo Post Online. Quang’s attorney at court, Orlando Chua, said he would file an appeal against the verdict.

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