The former chairman of Vinalines, Duong Chi Dung, has appealed his conviction on charges of intentionally violating state regulations and embezzling state assets.
Duong Chi Dung in white shirt
The Supreme People’s Court of Hanoi is hearing his appeal today, April 22. The appeal is expected to run through the 24th. Nine of the ten defendants have appealed against the court’s verdicts, which were announced in December.
The Hanoi People’s Procuracy previously proposed that Duong Chi Dung and the ex-vice chairman of Vinalines, Mai Van Phuc, be sentenced to death for embezzling state assets and violating regulations. They must also pay VND110 billion (USD5.2 million) each for the damages caused.
However, Dung maintained his innocence on embezzlement charges and appealed against the sentence. He also asked for leniency on the charge of violating state regulations. Dung’s lawyer admits that over USD1.6 trillion was transferred into Vietnam, but that they still have to find out who took the money.
Phuc maintained his innocence on both charges. Hoping to gain leniency, Dung’s family paid a sum of VND4.7 billion and Phuc’s family VND3.5 billion to the General Department of Civil Judgment Enforcement before the trial started this morning. According to the law, if the defendant can repay one third to half of the damages, his sentence can be reduced to life imprisonment or less. However, because both Dung and Phuc claimed innocence, the court will not consider this option.
Dung and Phuc were accused of numerous violations in buying and repairing the obsolete No83M floating dock, which had been taken out of active service by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.
Duong Chi Dung attempted to flee the country before an investigation was launched. In court, Dung claimed that the deputy minister of Public Security, Pham Quy Ngo, notified him of the arrest and advised him to go into hiding. On February 18, Pham Quy Ngo died in hospital while being treated for cancer.
Đăng ký: VietNam News
