Twelve out of 22 defendants in the “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences” case in PetroVietnam Construction Joint Stock Corporation (PVC), have lodged their appeals, two weeks after the Court of Hanoi declared the judgments.

Trinh Xuan Thanh at the court 

The majority of the defendants asked for reduction in the sentences and compensations that the Court of Hanoi announced on January 22.

In his appeal, Trinh Xuan Thanh, former PVC Chairman, claimed his innocence, refusing his both charges of “asset embezzlement” and “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences”. He asked the court of appeal to reconsider his criminal and civil responsibilities.

Earlier, the court gave a life sentence on the charge of “asset embezzlement” and 14 years in jail for “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences”. The combined penalty for both counts is life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Dinh La Thang, former Chairman of PetroVietnam’s Member Council said that the punishment the court gave him is too strict without adequate consideration of his cooperation and honesty during the investigation process and at the court.

He asked the court of appeal to reconsider his charge, punishment and compensation.

The Hanoi court gave him 13 years in jail for his charge of “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences”.-VNA