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The defendants listen as the court delivers its verdict. Photo: PĐ
 
 
 

After several days of deliberation, the trial - involving charges of giving and receiving bribes, as well as violations of accounting regulations causing serious consequences - moved to the sentencing phase. The case concerned activities at the former Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hoang Dan Investment and Construction One Member Co., Ltd., along with several related units and localities.

The panel of judges handed Hoang Van Thang a four-year prison sentence for bribery.

Nguyen Van Dan, Director of Hoang Dan Company, received nine years in prison for violations of bidding regulations causing serious consequences, three years for violations of accounting regulations, and two years for bribery. Combined, he must serve a total sentence of 14 years.

Other defendants were also sentenced.

Tran To Nghi, former Acting Director of the Construction Management Department, was sentenced to six years in prison, while Nguyen Hai Thanh, former Deputy Director of the same department and concurrently Director of Irrigation Project Management Unit No. 4, received five years.

Tran Van Lang, former Director of Project Management Unit No. 2 under the ministry, was sentenced to 13 years. Le Van Hien, former Director of Unit No. 8, received three years and six months, and Ta Van Thuyet, former Director of Unit No. 1, was given a suspended sentence of 36 months.

Nguyen Van Thuat, former Head of the Planning and Appraisal Division under Unit No. 1, received 30 months in prison, while Pham Dong Phuong, former Deputy Director of Unit No. 2, was sentenced to five years. Hoang Xuan Thinh, former Director of Unit No. 4, received four years.

Nguyen Vinh Hoang, former Head of the Planning and Appraisal Division of Unit No. 4, was sentenced to 36 months, while Duong Chi Thanh, a former staff member of the same unit, received 30 months. Mai Quang Vuong, former Director of Unit No. 8, was sentenced to 40 months.

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he trial panel delivers the verdict. Photo: HN

Tran Van Nhi, former Head of the Planning and Appraisal Division of Unit No. 8, received 30 months, while Nguyen Dac Diep, former Deputy General Director of Song Da 5 Company, was sentenced to four years. Vu Van Hoa, former Head of the Bidding Division at Song Da 5, received 30 months.

Le Vu Hung, former General Director of Irrigation Corporation No. 4, was sentenced to 30 months, while Le Quang The, former Chairman of its Board, received a suspended sentence of 36 months. Vo Duy Minh, former Director of its Central branch, was sentenced to 24 months.

Vu Dinh Thinh, former Deputy Director of Hoang Dan Company, received seven years in prison. Bui Cao Nguyen, who handled the company’s finances, was sentenced to 36 months, while chief accountant Vu Thi Kim Lien received a suspended sentence of 30 months. Nguyen Van Giap, former Director of Sao Vang HG Company, was also given a suspended sentence of 36 months.

The court ordered those who had received bribes to return the illicit funds for confiscation and transfer to the state budget. After offsetting amounts already recovered, Nguyen Van Dan was required to compensate the investor with VND269 billion (approximately US$11 million).

Court’s assessment

The panel of judges concluded that the actions of Hoang Van Thang and his accomplices had undermined the integrity of public office and eroded public trust in the Party and the State.

Their violations of bidding regulations disrupted fairness and competition, causing financial losses to the state.

The court acknowledged mitigating factors for Hoang Van Thang, including his prior contributions during his career. Nguyen Van Dan was also granted leniency for actively working with his family to remedy the consequences and for voluntarily reporting bribery-related conduct during the investigation phase.

While emphasizing the seriousness of the offenses and the damage caused to the credibility of state institutions, the court also considered these mitigating circumstances in determining the sentences.

Nguyen Hai Thanh, who was tried in absentia, was also granted leniency after his family submitted compensation on his behalf.

 
T. Nhung