Humanity in the judgment

The case of farmer Thai Khac Thanh (Nghe An province), who was sentenced to 6 years in prison for raising and trading 13 white pheasants, and later released on bail pending appeal, is attracting significant public attention. This is not just a criminal case, but also raises many questions about the enforcement of the law, wildlife conservation efforts, and the humane aspects of court rulings.

Mr. Thai Khac Thanh, a farmer with no prior criminal record, was sentenced to 6 years in prison for violating regulations on the protection of endangered and rare animals.

The case began when he bought three white pheasants to raise, then bred them into 13 and offered them for sale on social media. Although this act violated the law, the six-year prison sentence sparked much debate and public reaction.

Many believe that a six-year prison sentence is too harsh and inhumane. Public opinion expresses sympathy for Mr. Thanh, a simple farmer with no ulterior motives, merely seeking to make a living.

The case became even more controversial when information emerged that he had successfully bred white pheasants, a species listed in Vietnam's Red Book, an action that should have been recognized and encouraged instead of being severely punished.

Following the initial trial, the case took a new turn when the court changed the preventive measure, allowing Mr. Thanh to be released on bail pending the appeal trial. At the same time, the People's Procuracy appealed, requesting the annulment of the initial verdict for further investigation. This move shows that the prosecuting authorities have taken into account the opinions of the public and experts.

One of the key legal bases leading to this change is Circular 27/2025/TT-BNNMT of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , which came into effect on July 1, 2025.

According to the new regulations, the white pheasant has been moved from group IB (strictly prohibited from exploitation and commercial use) to group IIB (restricted exploitation and commercial use).

This adjustment became the basis for lawyers to argue that Mr. Thanh could be exempted from criminal liability or receive a reduced sentence, because the act occurred before the circular came into effect, but during the trial, the legal provisions favorable to the defendant should be applied.

This case demonstrates the need for flexible and humane application of the law, especially in cases involving wildlife.

Conservation of rare species is an important task, but adjudication must take into account the context, motives, and actual consequences of the act. Authorities also need to coordinate more closely in updating and disseminating new regulations, avoiding the application of outdated texts that lead to unconvincing rulings.

Public opinion expects the appeal trial to deliver a fair verdict, ensuring both the strict enforcement of the law and demonstrating humanity, thereby strengthening people's faith in justice.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202508/nhan-van-trong-phan-quyet-ddc7841/