Nguyễn Kim An. Photo vietnamplus.vn

HÀ NỘI — Hồ Chí Minh City police on Friday arrested an escaped convict who was on death row after being convicted of murder and robbery.

Nguyễn Kim An, 26, fled from Chí Hòa Prison on July 13. He was awaiting the death penalty after he was convicted of the murder of a college classmate in 2014.

An, from Tánh Linh District in Bình Thuận Province, is also infected with COVID-19.

He was sentenced to death by HCM City's People's Court after he killed Lưu Vĩnh Đạt, who he studied with at VTC Technology and Digital Content Centre.

On the evening of February 26, 2014, An called Đạt to an inn in Tân Bình District. Here, An mixed six sleeping pills in a glass of water for Đạt to drink, causing the victim to fall into a coma.

Later that evening, An put Đạt in a sack and then carried him to Phú Mỹ Bridge in District 7 and dropped the victim into the river.

An brought Đạt’s bike home and parked it at a parking lot on Thăng Long Street and then repeatedly sent text messages to Đat's family to threaten and demand VNĐ500 million.

On the evening of March 4, 2014, security staff at Tân Thuận 2 Port (District 7) found the body in the water. His family were able to identify him because of a distinctive marble necklace he was wearing. 

On March 11, 2014, the police arrested Nguyễn Kim An when he was hiding in a motel room.

In mid-2015, An was sentenced to death by the Hồ Chí Minh City People's Court. The city’s People's Supreme Court upheld the sentence on appeal. VNS