16 years in prison for former colonel Duong Tu Trong

This afternoon, May 23, the Supreme People's Court in Hanoi announced the appeal verdict against Duong Tu Trong and his accomplices in the case of "Organizing others to flee abroad".

Defendant Duong Tu Trong had his sentence reduced by 2 years in prison. Photo: DS&PL

The appellate court found that the defendants’ crimes were of a particularly serious nature, and that many of the defendants, working in the police force, had colluded with social elements and individuals with bad personal records who had committed crimes to organize the escape of Duong Chi Dung abroad. The appellate court found that this was an organized crime, that there were accomplices in the case, and that the methods of the crime were sophisticated. The defendants’ goal was to have Duong Chi Dung escape to Cambodia.

The appellate court found that Duong Tu Trong played the main role and mastermind in the case. However, at the appeal hearing, Trong confessed honestly. The appellate court said that it was necessary to apply point p, clause 1, article 46 of the Penal Code, to consider reducing part of Duong Tu Trong's sentence.

Regarding defendant Vu Tien Son, the appellate court found that the defendant actively committed the crime and agreed with Duong Tu Trong throughout the process of helping Duong Chi Dung escape. Therefore, the 13-year prison sentence for Vu Tien Son was appropriate, and the appellate court did not accept the defendant's appeal for a reduced sentence.

Considering the case in its entirety, the Court of Appeal accepted Duong Tu Trong's appeal and sentenced the defendant to 16 years in prison (reduced by 2 years). The term of imprisonment is calculated from the date of arrest and temporary detention on February 22, 2013.

The appellate panel did not accept the appeal for a reduction in sentence and the appeal for injustice of the other defendants, and declared to keep the same sentence for these defendants.

Accordingly, defendant Vu Tien Son was sentenced to 13 years in prison, the term of imprisonment calculated from the date of arrest and temporary detention on December 5, 2012.

Nguyen Trong Anh 6 years in prison, the term of imprisonment calculated from the date of arrest and temporary detention January 28, 2013.

Dong Xuan Phong 7 years in prison, the term of imprisonment is calculated from the date of arrest and temporary detention January 18, 2013.

Tran Van Dung (Dung "Bac Can") 8 years in prison, the term of imprisonment is calculated from the date of arrest and temporary detention on September 4, 2012.

Regarding defendant Pham Minh Tuan, the panel of judges did not accept his appeal because the first instance judgment was appropriate.

Defendant Duong Tu Trong does not have to pay appeal fees.

When being led to the van, Duong Tu Trong waved goodbye to his relatives and loudly told them to take care of their health.

According to GTVT newspaper