Trial of the "major corruption case" of Duong Chi Dung begins

Starting this morning, December 12, the trial of Duong Chi Dung and 9 other defendants will officially begin at the Hanoi People's Court.

The trial is expected to last at least three days. Defendant Duong Chi Dung could face the death penalty.

Duong Chi Dung (Source: Internet)

Previously, the Supreme People's Procuracy issued an indictment to prosecute the above 10 defendants on two charges of embezzlement and intentionally violating State regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences.

10 defendants were prosecuted for intentionally violating the State's regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences, including Duong Chi Dung (former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vinalines, former Director of the Maritime Administration, Ministry of Transport); Mai Van Phuc (former Deputy Director of the Transport Department, former General Director of Vinalines); Tran Huu Chieu (former Deputy General Director of Vinalines); Bui Thi Bich Loan (former Head of the Finance and Accounting Department of Vinalines); Tran Hai Son (former General Director of Vinalines Ship Repair Company Limited); Mai Van Khang (former Deputy General Director of Vinashin Ocean One Member Limited Liability Company); Le Van Duong (inspector of the Vietnam Register); Huynh Huu Duc, Le Van Lung, Le Ngoc Trien (former Deputy Heads and officers of Van Phong Customs Branch, Khanh Hoa Province).

In addition, Dung, Phuc, Son, and Chieu were also proposed to be prosecuted for embezzlement.

According to the indictment, 10 defendants were charged with intentionally violating State regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences, including 7 defendants who intentionally violated regulations related to customs clearance, import, repair, and payment of the 83M floating dock contract, causing a loss of 336 billion VND to the State.

Regarding the embezzled amount of 1.66 million USD (equivalent to 28 billion VND), the indictment stated that, according to the survey results of Tran Huu Chieu, Tran Hai Son and Mai Van Khang, the price of the 83M floating dock was just under 5 million USD. Even the company that sold the floating dock to Vinalies only bought this "scrap iron" for 2.3 million USD. However, Dung accepted the purchase price of 9 million USD to share with foreign brokerage companies and ship sales companies.

Of the total embezzled amount of 28 billion VND, Dung was accused of receiving 10 billion VND, Phuc received 10 billion VND, and Son and Chieu divided the rest. Therefore, the indictment prosecuted Dung and three accomplices under Clause 4, Article 278 for embezzlement of property with the highest penalty being the death penalty. During the investigation, Dung and Phuc did not admit to the embezzlement as accused by the Procuracy.

Thus, defendant Duong Chi Dung and the three defendants above were prosecuted with a prison sentence of 20 years, life imprisonment or death penalty for embezzlement. In addition, these four defendants also face a penalty of 10-20 years in prison for intentional violation of the law along with the remaining six defendants.

The trial, chaired by Judge Ngo Thi Anh, is scheduled to last three days (from December 12-14). Fifteen lawyers will be present to defend the defendants. Duong Chi Dung alone hired three lawyers to defend him./.

According to VNA