Nguyễn Văn Sơn, former Commander of the coast guard at the court. VNA/VNS Photo

Nguyễn Văn Sơn, former Commander of the coast guard faces 16 years to 16 years and six months in prison for embezzlement of property.

A prison term of 15 years 6 months to 16 years was sought for Hoàng Văn Đồng, former Political Commissar of the coast guard.

Doãn Bảo Quyết, former deputy Political Commissar of the coast guard, Phạm Kim Hậu, former deputy Commander of the coast guard and Bùi Trung Dũng, former deputy Commander of the coast guard face 15 years to 15 years and 6 months in prison.

Nguyễn Văn Hưng, former director of the technical department and Bùi Văn Hòe, former deputy head of the finance department face 10 years to 10 years 6 months and 12 years to 12 years 6 months in prison. 

A representative of the Procuracy said that the defendants' acts were particularly serious, with the aim of appropriating the State budget for personal use. Their behaviour has adversely affected the Coast Guard force, the force that protects the sovereignty of the sea and water, which is trusted and loved by the people.

The defendants paid back VNĐ50 billion (US$2.1 million), the amount of money they embezzled.

According to the indictment, in early April 2019, Nguyễn Văn Sơn discussed with Hoàng Văn Đồng, Doãn Bảo Quyết, Phạm Kim Hậu and Bùi Trung Dũng on directing Nguyễn Văn Hưng to withdraw VNĐ50 billion from the 2019 administrative budget allocated to the Technical Department to spend on the heads of the (Coast Guard) Command. All agreed and there were no other opinions.

Nguyễn Văn Hưng then requested six heads of divisions under the Technical Department to withdraw VNĐ50 billion so that he could transfer it to the head of the Command to use for general purposes. After receiving VNĐ50 billion, Nguyễn Văn Sơn split the amount for Hoàng Văn Đồng, Phạm Kim Hậu, Doãn Bảo Quyết, Bùi Trung Dũng, each receiving VNĐ10 billion including himself.

By June 2020, Phạm Kim Hậu sent a report to the authorities and sent them two audio files. From here, the inspection team of the Ministry of National Defence and the Central Inspection Committee stepped in to verify the violations. — VNS