Former Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training receives 9-year prison sentence.
The Son La Provincial People's Court sentenced Tran Xuan Yen, former Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training, to 9 years in prison for "Abusing his position and authority while performing official duties".
Defendant Lo Van Huynh (former Deputy Head of the Examination and Quality Management Department of the Department of Education and Training): 15 years and 6 months in prison for "Receiving bribes"; 5 years and 6 months in prison for "Abusing position and power while performing official duties". The combined sentence is 21 years in prison.
Nguyen Thi Hong Nga (former examination specialist): 15 years in prison for "Receiving bribes"; 4 years and 6 months in prison for "Abusing position and authority while performing official duties". The combined sentence is 19 years and 6 months in prison.
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| The panel of judges in the Sơn La exam cheating case. |
Cam Thi Bun Son (former Deputy Head of the Political and Ideological Department of the Department of Education and Training): 6 years imprisonment for "Receiving bribes"; 4 years imprisonment for "Abusing position and power while performing official duties". Total sentence: 10 years imprisonment.
Dang Huu Thuy (former Deputy Principal of To Hieu High School): 8 years in prison; Do Khac Hung (former Lieutenant Colonel, officer of the Internal Political Security Department, Son La Provincial Police): 3 years in prison; Nguyen Thanh Nhan (former Deputy Head of the Examination and Quality Management Department): 30 months in prison; and Dinh Hai Son (former Major, former Deputy Team Leader of the Education Team, Internal Political Security Department, Son La Provincial Police): 2 years suspended sentence, all for the crime of "Abusing position and power while performing official duties".
Nguyen Minh Khoa (former police officer of Son La province): 8 years in prison, Tran Van Dien (teacher): 9 years in prison, Hoang Thi Thanh (former official of the Farmers' Association of Quynh Nhai district): 3 years suspended sentence, Lo Thi Truong (freelancer): 30 months suspended sentence, all for the crime of "Giving bribes".
According to the court's assessment, during the performance of her assigned duties, the Deputy Director of the Son La Department of Education and Training instructed Nguyen Thi Hong Nga to act contrary to official duties, raising the scores of 13 candidates.
By failing to instruct the sealing of the exam papers immediately after the exam ended, defendant Yen consented to and facilitated the other defendants' withdrawal of the multiple-choice exam papers to take home and alter the scores.
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| Former Deputy Director of the Son La Department of Education and Training, Tran Xuan Yen. |
The defendant Yen also directed the deletion of data related to altered exam scores on the computer after the inspection team from the Ministry of Education and Training came to work; and directly erased evidence of the crime by taking the CDs containing the backup exam data to a cemetery to burn them.
Throughout the investigation and trial, the defendant did not admit to the crime. However, based on the investigation results and the consistency in the testimonies of other defendants, it was determined that Tran Xuan Yen gave the list of 13 candidates to her subordinates to raise their scores, not to check the scores as the defendant claimed.
Although defendant Yen did not directly participate in altering or raising exam scores, based on his position and role, it is determined that he played a key role in the entire case and must bear primary responsibility for handling the multiple-choice exam papers.
