Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong on Tuesday signed a decision commuting the death penalty to life imprisonment for five convicts.

The decision, made in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions, follows recommendations from the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court, the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, and the Chairman of the Presidential Office. 

By commuting the penalties for individuals whose sentences have already taken legal effect, the state president exemplifies the compassionate policy of the Party and state toward those who have committed serious crimes.

It offers them an opportunity to live, repent, and rehabilitate for a chance to reintegrate into society.

In Vietnam, the authority to grant commutation and amnesty for the death penalty rests with the state president. 

Individuals sentenced to death have seven days from the date the verdict takes legal effect to submit an application for commutation of the death sentence to the state president, according to the currently effective Criminal Procedure Code. 

If the application is approved, the death penalty is commuted to life imprisonment. However, if the application is denied, the death sentence is carried out.

Previously, on December 27, 2023, State President Thuong signed a decision commuting capital punishment to life imprisonment for 18 death-row inmates who had had petitions for clemency sent to him.

The state president has the authority to grant early release from prison for convicts sentenced to fixed-term or life imprisonment on significant events, major national holidays, or in special cases.

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