This morning, at the ongoing trial of Pham Thanh Binh, former chairman of Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, and his eight accomplices, the Hai Phong City People’s Procuracy recommended that Binh be sentenced to 19-20 years in prison for “intentionally violating economic management regulations, causing serious consequences.”
Binh, 59, also a former general director of Vinashin, and his accomplices had abused their positions and power to act against State’s regulations on economic management and against the Prime Minister’s directives, causing a total loss of VND910 billion (US$43.54 million) to the state budget, according to the indictment read at the trial, which was conducted by the city People's Court.  

Specifically, Binh and his accomplices caused a loss of VND469.5 billion in the purchase of Hoa Sen ship, VND316.5 billion in the Red River thermal power plant project in Nam Dinh Province, VND66.5 billion in the Cai Lan diesel thermal power plant in Quang Ninh province, VND30.4 billion in the financial lease of Binh Dinh Star Ship, and VND27.3 billion in the sale of Bach Dang Giang ship.

The prosecutor proposed a 17-18 year sentence be given to each of Binh’s three accomplices: Tran Van Liem, 57, former head of the Control Board of Vinashin; To Nghiem, 53, former chairman of Cai Lan Shipping Industry One-Member Co. Ltd. and former general director of Hai Ha Economic Zone Development Investment Joint Stock Company; and Nguyen Van Tuyen, 50, former director of Hoang Anh Shipping Industry JSC.

Lower sentences were proposed for five other defendants, including 13-14 years for Trinh Thi Hau, 48, former deputy general director of Vinashin Finance One-member Co. Ltd.; 12-13 years for Hoang Gia Hiep, 40, former deputy general director of Vinashin Finance One-member Co. Ltd and former director of Shipping Industry Finance Leasing Company; 11-12 years for Tran Quang Vu, 54, former general director of Vinashin, former general director of Nam Trieu Company, and Do Dinh Con, 50, former deputy general director of Hoang Anh Shipping Industry Joint Stock Company; and 3-4 years for Nguyen Tuan Duong, 46, former chairman of Cuu Long Investment Joint Stock Company.

The Procuracy also demanded Binh, Liem, Hiep and Hau to pay damages of over VND650 billion to Vien Duong Company; Binh, Tuyen and Con to pay more than VND23 billion to Hoang Anh Company; Vu to pay over 18 billion to Nam Trieu Company; and Duong to give about VND20 billion to Cuu Long Company for compensation.

In addition, all the defendants must also pay interest on these amounts to the above-mentioned companies under applicable regulations.

After the Procuracy presented its proposed sentences for the defendants, the trial entered the debate session with the participation of 21 defense lawyers.

The trial is expected to conclude tomorrow, when the court announces sentences to the nine defendants.

Tuoitre