The first-instance hearing of Ha Van Tham, former chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ocean Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Ocean Bank, and his accomplices will reopen on August 28, according to the Hanoi People’s Court. 

During the 20-day hearing, this time, the jury will summon 727 people to participate in litigations -- a record number of people involved in the proceedings in court, so far. They include civil plaintiffs, those who were involved in interests and duties, witnesses and assessors. 

Till date, 50 lawyers have registered to protect the legitimate rights and interests of defendants. The case involves 51 defendants, who have been charged with the abuse of power and violations related to lending regulations and state regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences. 

According to the indictment, Tham and his accomplices are charged with breaching loan regulations for credit institutions, intentionally acting against State laws causing serious consequences, committing fraudulent acts and abusing power during their time at Ocean Bank.

Their violations resulted in losses of nearly VND2 trillion (US$88 million) for Ocean Bank. In addition to defendant Tham, dozens of other accused leaders at the bank’s headquarters and leaders of branches and transaction offices of the whole Oceanbank system are also involved in Tham’s wrongdoing.

The trial for the case was first held on February 27. However, on March 8, the Hanoi People’s Court sent it back to the nation’s main prosecuting agency, the People’s Supreme Procuracy, for further investigation and reframing of charges. 

The jury said the decision to hand back the case after an eight-day hearing was taken to clarify some of the defendant’s statements and to carry out further investigation into some aspects of the case. 

The US-educated banker, who was one of the richest man in 2013 based on stock holdings, previously won several national awards for outstanding entrepreneurship. He was arrested in October 2014.

VNS