The military court of Military Zone 7 on July 31 sentenced Dinh Ngoc He, alias “Ut troc”, to 12 years in prison in a case involving law violations at Thai Son Corporation under the Defence Ministry.

At the court 

The defendant, former Deputy Director General of the Thai Son Corporation, got a jail term of 10 years for abusing position and power while performing official duties, and two years for using falsified documents of agencies and organisations. 

Also with the charge of abusing position and power while performing official duties, Tran Van Lam, former Director General of Thai Son Development and Investment Joint Stock Company (Thai Son JSC); Tran Xuan Son, former director of Binh Duong branch of Thai Son JSC; and Bui Van Tiep, former commander of Division 367 of the Air Defence-Air Force Service, were given sentences of five years behind the bar, 18 months’ probation and 24 months’ probation, respectively. Son was freed right at the trial.

Phung Danh Tham, former Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Thai Son Corporation, got a 24- month non-custody sentence for lack of responsibility causing serious consequences. 

He is not allowed to assume corporate management posts within four years while Lam and Son, three years, and Tiep and Tham, two years since the verdict comes into force. The defendants were also ordered to compensate the State 1.4 billion VND (60,200 USD).

The court concluded that He was honoured with orders and medals during the period he was using falsified documents to cheat agencies and organisations. The jury, therefore, said proposal must be made to revoke such honours. 

Dinh Ngoc He was determined as the mastermind behind the case as he instructed the illegal use of military transport vehicles and those wearing official number plates, and the officialisation of the trade of low-quality oil and gas. 

He was found to have asked Lam to sign contracts to mortgage the vehicles at credit establishments to get loans. 

The court also found that Tiep and Son supported He and Lam to officialise the documents related to the substandard oil, and Tham, as General Director of Thai Son Corporation, showed lax management of Thai Son JSC and his subordinates. -VNA