Former Director of Hanoi CDC sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Mr. Cam was sentenced to 10 years in prison for violating bidding regulations and causing serious consequences.

The appellate court also rejected the appeals for leniency from the defendants: Nguyen Vu Ha Thanh (former Head of the Finance and Accounting Department of the Hanoi CDC), Nguyen Thi Kim Dung (former Head of the Organization and Administration Department of the Hanoi CDC), Nguyen Ngoc Quynh (former Head of the Planning and Operations Department of the Hanoi CDC); Dao The Vinh (former Director of MST Company) and Nguyen Tran Duy (former General Director of Nhan Thanh Valuation and Auction Joint Stock Company).

Accordingly, defendants Thanh and Vinh received 6 years and 6 months in prison; Dung and Duy received 6 years in prison; and Quynh received 5 years in prison.

The appellate court ruled that the defendants' actions were dangerous to society and damaged the reputation of state agencies.

While the Government and the State focus on human and material resources.COVID-19 preventionThe defendants violated the law for material gain.

The court will announce the verdict this afternoon.

The trial court's failure to apply the aggravating circumstance of exploiting the pandemic situation was beneficial to the defendants. The defendants were also fully granted mitigating circumstances that partially reduced their sentences.

The appellate court acknowledged the numerous requests from organizations, individuals, and scientists for leniency for the defendants.

According to the appellate court's assessment, the defendants' actions violated regulations on direct contracting, failed to fulfill their responsibilities, and planned direct contracting without price appraisal results... therefore, there is no basis to consider the defendants' appeals.

The trial court's judgment and sentencing of the defendants under the applicable laws and provisions were correct and lawful; there was no injustice.

The defendants in court.

Defendant Nguyen Nhat Cam was found guilty of taking advantage of the situation for personal gain, colluding to fix the price of bidding package No. 15 at over 9 billion VND. The defendant directly carried out the act as the mastermind.

Earlier, given the opportunity to speak his final words, the former Director of the Hanoi CDC expressed his sorrow that the CDC staff, despite their qualifications and capabilities and significant contributions, made mistakes due to limited understanding.

"The defendant is deeply saddened because these officials could have fully contributed to the fight against the pandemic."

"I hope the court will consider the entire context and take into account the circumstances to mitigate the sentence for the defendant and his colleagues, so that the defendants can return home soon and continue to contribute to preventive medicine, to society, and to the community," defendant Cam said in his final statement.