Former OceanBank Chairman Ha Van Tham apologizes to subordinates for causing trouble

"I fell down first and many of you had to fall like me. I apologize for dragging you all down," Mr. Ha Van Tham said his last words on the afternoon of September 24.

In his final statement at the trial on the afternoon of September 24, as the first person to present, former OceanBank chairman Ha Van Tham assessed this as a "record democratic case" and hoped that record would bring justice.

Mr. Tham said he earnestly hoped the panel of judges would consider two issues. "For the crime of intentional wrongdoing, the defendant has already admitted his guilt. I hope the defendant will receive a sentence appropriate to his actions," Mr. Tham said, and was interrupted by the panel of judges, who told him "not to say too much."

* Defendant Ha Van Tham has his final words.

Continuing to talk about the second issue, Mr. Tham mentioned the crime of embezzlement. "This crime is so important that the defendant can be permanently isolated from social life. The defendant is not the subject of the crime of corruption, I hope that the defendant will not be tried at the highest level. It is very important to the defendant."

Mr. Tham would like to thank the People's Procuracy, the investigators, and the T16 detention camp for never looking down on him over the past three years.

"At this trial, the defendant also received sympathetic looks from the prosecutor and the panel of judges. I hope the panel of judges will reduce the sentence for the defendant and give his colleagues a reasonable sentence," the panel of judges interrupted, but Mr. Tham asked for another 5-10 minutes.

"Dear friends from the north to the south, you are sitting here with me, you were once sitting with me on a boat where I was the captain. I fell first and many of you had to fall like me. I apologize for dragging you down. Someone said that for three years now, I have not heard you scold me, the look in your eyes filled with longing makes me feel guilty. There are many things that should have been done, but I did not do them and may never be able to do them again. I hope you are steadfast, I hope the jury will give you a low verdict."

In a few words to his relatives, Mr. Tham said: "I know that with this accident, my pride has turned into pain and a burden for my family. I don't know what to do but live well so that everyone is not too heartbroken. Please don't be heartbroken for me. For my children, I hope that through my accident, you will learn from your experience to live well. At least I hope that you are not ashamed of me. Some people asked why they didn't see my parents, wife and children in court. I think they understand me and don't want to come here to pressure me... I hope that the court will evaluate whether the defendant should be permanently isolated because he is a danger to society or not? Please give him the most reasonable sentence."

Former General Director Nguyen Xuan Son: Whoever received the defendant's money should return it.

Mr. Son said he grew up in a family of teachers with a rich revolutionary tradition, raised in a favorable environment to perfect his ethics and personality. Over 30 years of work, over 30 years of Party membership, from a soldier on the northern border front to Chairman of the Oil and Gas Group, in every position the defendant always strived to do his job.

* Defendant Nguyen Xuan Son has final words

"The defendant is respected by friends, businesses, and businessmen for his ethics and character. The defendant has never dared to think of doing unethical things like appropriating other people's assets, or those of PVN or OceanBank - places that have devoted all their hearts to development. Therefore, if he is accused of embezzlement, it will be the most severe and severe moral sentence for the defendant."

Mr. Son said: "Reflecting on what I have done and what I have done, I am very remorseful and regretful for using Chairman Ha Van Tham's money to take care of PVN customers. The sole purpose was to help Tham and OceanBank minimize costs, bringing benefits to the bank and shareholders. But because of that, I got into trouble with the law. I feel extremely remorseful and sorry."

"The defendant could not believe his eyes when he was charged with embezzlement. Since receiving the decision to prosecute, the defendant has become lifeless," Mr. Son said, choking with emotion.

Continuing his final statement, Mr. Son apologized for "damaging the reputation of PVN as well as his colleagues who have devoted their time to the Group".

He hopes that "those who have received care money from the defendant will calmly think carefully and return it so that their souls can be at peace.".

Defendant Nguyen Xuan Son. Photo: Pham Du

To his colleagues at OceanBank, Mr. Son thanked them for "not blaming us for pushing them to today's situation." He asked the jury to consider exempting salaried employees from civil liability for paying extra interest, because they were forced to carry out their duties and did not receive any benefits. "Civil liability will belong to those who decided to pay the money. I hope you have luck in court as well as after the verdict so that you can return to life and do many useful things for society," said the former general director of OceanBank.

Finally, he "requested the panel of judges to consider and evaluate his character and qualifications so as not to wrongly convict him of property appropriation and intentional wrongdoing, because he did not commit these two crimes."

Former General Director Nguyen Minh Thu: Very miserable for the defendant

In her final statement, Ms. Thu "respectfully asked the panel of judges to consider all the statements, the defendant admitted his wrongdoings and was very receptive."

Ms. Thu said that in recent days, she realized that for the benefit of the bank, she had unintentionally violated the law, unintentionally causing some colleagues at other units to also get into trouble with the law. When she did that, the defendant was not aware of it, but now she is very remorseful and in pain.

Thinking that the proposed sentence was harsh, Ms. Thu asked for a lighter sentence so that she could soon return to her parents and children.

"In civil matters, with the amount of money attributed to the damage of several hundred billion, the defendant stated that it had been spent to the place where the beneficiary was. If that is not accepted now and the defendant is held responsible, then it would take 10-100 years without spending anything to be able to compensate, which would be very difficult for the defendant," Ms. Thu cried, causing the panel of judges to interrupt.

Defendant Thu at court on the morning of September 24. Photo: Pham Du

"As Mr. Tham said before, I thank the lawyers and readers for following the case. Finally, the defendant would like to say that it has been a long time since I have seen my family. I would like to apologize to my parents, husband, siblings, children, and relatives," former general director Thu stated.

Former Director of Capital Resources: Brothers and sisters at OceanBank are very united.

Defendant Nguyen Hoai Nam ((Former Director of Capital Resources)I thank the panel of judges for creating the conditions for a democratic trial, where the spirit of the rule of law is placed first. I hope the panel of judges will recognize that the defendants are not a group of dangerous criminals who colluded with each other to withdraw money from the bank.

"The defendants committed the crime in a situation where they were not fully aware, caught up in something so big that they could not control it," the defendant burst into tears.

"The time working at OceanBank was very good, I will never forget it. In my youth, we were very united. In other banks, there are stories of "one bad apple spoiling the barrel", but at OceanBank, humanity is very clear. We have not said a word of blame to each other, blaming Mr. Tham, blaming each other", the defendant stated and said "I wish that in the past, the State Bank had made a more understanding decision, had stricter sanctions" so that today the defendants would not have to stand in court.

Addressing his former boss, the defendant said: "We always admire Mr. Tham. If the law enforcement agencies create a transparent legal corridor, a businessman like Mr. Tham will create many benefits. Please handle it with a deterrent effect so that Mr. Tham has a chance to start over."

* The defendants left the trial after their final statements.

Former Deputy General Director Le Thi Thu Thuy: Expensive lesson, unforgettable for life

Ms. Thuy thanked the panel of judges for listening to the defendant's presentation. "The defendant said he knew he was wrong, but once again, please consider the bank's situation, and do not look at the defendant's position or that of his colleagues to impose a harsh punishment," she said.

Ms. Thuy asked the panel of judges to allow her to enjoy mitigating circumstances that the People's Procuracy did not recognize, such as actively cooperating with the investigation agency and refunding the customer's gift of more than 2 billion VND.

"Please show leniency to the defendant's colleague. The defendant, like the brothers and sisters sitting here, are all wage earners.Currently, the defendant has been unemployed for nearly 3 years. I hope the jury will consider and understand, have mercy to have a reasonable sentence, and take care of my young daughter. This is a valuable lesson for the defendant to remember for life."

Ngo Hai Nam (Director of Quang Ninh branch): Please add the penalties for both husband and wife for me.

Admitting his mistake in exceeding the interest rate ceiling, defendant Nam hoped the jury would sympathize with him and his colleagues because of the special circumstances that forced him to do so. "Anyone in that situation probably would not have had any other choice," Mr. Nam said, adding that he had been recognized by the provincial committee as an outstanding businessman.

"The defendant's small family has both husband and wife involved in this case. The tragedy has befallen, the defendant and his wife sometimes seem crazy, unable to control their actions. From the bottom of my heart, I earnestly ask the panel of judges for a special favor: If the panel of judges finds the defendant and his wife guilty, I hope they will be allowed to add the punishment to the sentence for both of them so that my wife can take care of and raise her two children. By doing this, I want to fulfill part of my responsibilities as a father and husband in the family, I ask the panel of judges to consider clearly," defendant Nam said.

Hearing her husband speak, the wife, defendant Nguyen Thi Nga, cried so hard that a judge had to encourage her, saying, "The jury has not yet announced anything."

Nguyen Quoc Chien (former director of OceanBank Saigon branch)

Without saying much about asking for a reduction in his sentence, defendant Chien askedThe panel considered the appeals of the defendants Tham, Son and Thu. "Please show leniency to them because they have not yet received any sentence reduction. They are the backbone of the bank and budget, creating jobs for 3,000 workers, yet they are facing such a high sentence. Please listen to the defendant's final plea to the family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, and give them another chance," said Mr. Chien.

In his final words, Mr. Chien said: "Dear Mom and Dad, I know you are searching the internet to find out about my situation. I hope you don't feel ashamed because I am like the worker who had the accident. Thank you, lawyers. I hope you believe in the verdict and we will receive leniency."

The court announced a suspension of the trial for deliberation. On the morning of September 29, the panel of judges will issue a verdict.

According to VNE