Vietnamese Woman Sentenced for Bigamy in Singapore

In a recent case that has drawn attention in Singapore, a 36-year-old woman has been sentenced to 12 weeks in jail after admitting to bigamy, a criminal offense in the country. The woman, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thuy, a Vietnamese national, also faced allegations of providing false information to immigration authorities regarding her family status.

The Story Unfolds

Nguyen’s journey began in 2008 when, at the age of 19, she married a 54-year-old Singaporean man, forming a union that was officially registered in Singapore. However, the complexities of her personal life escalated when she returned to Vietnam around 2012 for medical treatment.

While in Vietnam, Nguyen met and fell in love with a man who was three years her senior. Acknowledging the legal barriers that would prevent them from registering their marriage in Singapore due to her existing marriage, the couple still decided to proceed. In a significant turn of events, they registered their marriage in Vietnam on July 28, 2015, while Nguyen was already pregnant with their child.

Legal Complications

Following this, Nguyen spent a considerable amount of time in Vietnam, only returning to Singapore occasionally for the purpose of renewing her long-term visit pass. In 2016, she initiated divorce proceedings for her first marriage, which was legally dissolved on November 3, 2017. Her second marriage in Vietnam was also concluded by March 9, 2018.

Details surrounding the discovery of Nguyen’s bigamous marriage by authorities remain unclear, but the prosecution argued for a three-month jail term, highlighting the seriousness of her actions.

A Plea for Compassion

Appearing in court without legal representation, Nguyen expressed her emotional distress through an interpreter. She described her current situation as a single mother to a 10-year-old boy, emphasizing the importance of her presence in his life. Furthermore, she conveyed her family’s struggles, noting that her father suffers from partial paralysis and her elderly mother requires support.

“I’m the pillar of strength in the family, taking care of my family financially and emotionally,” she stated, hoping for leniency not only for her son but also for her parents.

The presiding judge opted for a slightly reduced sentence than what the prosecution sought, acknowledging the complexities of her situation. While bigamy in Singapore can result in a maximum sentence of seven years and hefty fines, the judge’s decision reflected both the severity of the crime and Nguyen’s personal circumstances.

Conclusion

This case serves as a poignant reminder of the legal and emotional complexities that can arise from relationships across borders. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thuy’s plea for compassion in the face of a serious legal transgression highlights the broader implications of family, responsibility, and the challenging nature of modern relationships.