Duong Chi Dung still can't believe he's going to receive the death penalty.

Lawyers defending former Vinalines Chairman Duong Chi Dung said that the defendant's spirits and health are very good. Dung is relaxed, not worried or frightened by the death sentence, and believes that his "criminal charges" will be clarified at tomorrow's appeal trial.

Tomorrow, April 22nd, the appeal trial of Duong Chi Dung and his accomplices for irregularities at the Vietnam Maritime Corporation (Vinalines) will begin at the Supreme People's Court of Appeal in Hanoi.

Lawyer Tran Dinh Trien – one of the three lawyers defending defendant Duong Chi Dung – said that before the appeal trial, the former Vinalines chairman's health and mental state were very good, and there was nothing to worry about.

The last time lawyer Triển met his client at the detention center, Dương Chí Dũng still spoke calmly, saying: “I did it, so I’ll take responsibility. But I believe the authorities will clear my name. I affirm that I did not commit the embezzlement crime and I still believe in the law; everything will be clarified and justice will be served for myself and my family.”

Mr. Trien commented that his client's spirit was very strong, showing no anxiety, nervousness, or fear, even when facing the death sentence handed down by the first-instance court. The former Chairman of Vinalines believed he would not have to serve the highest sentence because he was innocent and everything would eventually be clarified.

Following the initial trial, Duong Chi Dung also submitted a request and was granted permission by the court and the prison to visit his mother, wife, and children. Duong Chi Dung's relatives have been allowed to visit them in prison.

According to lawyer Triển, the meeting between the former Vinalines chairman and his family at the detention center was very relaxed and comfortable. Dương Chí Dũng read aloud poems he had written while in prison to each family member – poems dedicated to his father, mother, wife, and daughter. His wife, Phạm Thị Mai Phương, also wrote a poem for her husband. The poem was beautiful and very profound, and everyone who heard it was moved to tears.

Former Vinalines Chairman Duong Chi Dung appeared calm and even recited poetry before receiving his death sentence at the first-instance trial.

Referring to the content of the appeal hearing beginning tomorrow, lawyer Tran Dinh Trien said he had just returned from Singapore after a trip to gather more evidence related to the case. Mr. Trien worked with representatives of AP company (the intermediary in the sale of the 83M floating dock by Vinalines to Russia – the source of the $1.666 million embezzlement).

Mr. Trien has obtained the testimony of AP Company Director Goh Hoon Seow, with full legal documentation including legal certifications from Singaporean authorities and the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore.

According to this statement, Mr. Goh affirmed that the negotiations for the purchase of the floating dock were conducted between him and Vinalines representatives, headed by Mr. Tran Hai Son (former General Director of Vinalines Ship Repair Company Limited, a defendant in the case). Mr. Goh stated that the $1.666 million was part of a payment under a Letter of Credit to cover the preparation of documents for license applications, customs procedures, and export related to the 83M floating dock. Mr. Goh also affirmed that he had never discussed the $1.666 million with Mr. Dung (former Chairman of Vinalines) and Mr. Phuc (former General Director of Vinalines).

Based on the evidence gathered, lawyer Triển argued that Dương Chí Dũng's appeal against the charge of "embezzlement" was well-founded. The 1.666 million USD sent to Vietnam was real and constituted illegal money, a result of corruption. However, the lawyer stated that the identity of the person who embezzled this money needs further investigation and clarification.

Regarding Duong Chi Dung's disclosure of information about Lieutenant General Pham Quy Ngo - former Deputy Minister of Public Security - secretly advising Dung to flee, as well as the former Vinalines Chairman's accusations of paying large sums of money to various Ministry of Public Security officials during the investigation of the case, lawyer Trien stated that he would only focus on the information his client provided to the various officials of the Ministry of Public Security's Criminal Investigation Department (C48). The lawyer suggested that, given such accusations, perhaps C48 should not be allowed to continue investigating the case as it might lack objectivity.

Mr. Trien also commented that if the testimony and accusations of the former Chairman of Vinalines help the authorities uncover and investigate another case, this could be considered an act of "atonement," a circumstance for the court to consider mitigating some of the defendant's responsibility in this case.

According to the lawyer's analysis, under the law, in bribery cases where the accused reports the bribery to the competent authorities before the case is formally initiated, the briber may be exempted from criminal prosecution for the bribery. Furthermore, if this contributes to the detection and fight against crime, it must be determined whether or not this constitutes a mitigating circumstance for the accused.

However, Mr. Triển only wanted to address the issue from the perspective that the consideration of Dương Chí Dũng's guilt and responsibility should await a specific conclusion clarifying the information Dương Chí Dũng has alleged. This matter will be raised by the lawyer during the appeal hearing.

Regarding this case, there is insufficient evidence to convict of embezzlement, and we propose overturning the initial verdict and returning the case for further investigation. Instead, we request that the security investigation agency handle this, rather than letting C48 (the Criminal Investigation Department) handle it.

Expressing a different viewpoint, lawyer Ngo Ngoc Thuy – another defense attorney for Duong Chi Dung – argued that the former Vinalines chairman's accusations were irrelevant to the appeal hearing.

"I wasn't paying much attention to this, but rather to something else. I was only studying the case from the perspective of the two charges of 'embezzlement' and 'intentionally acting against the law' against my client—whether or not they were committed, and if so, to what extent," lawyer Ngo Ngoc Thuy stated.

Regarding information about "confidential information" and allegations of investigators receiving bribes, Mr. Thuy will not address these matters in tomorrow's court session.

Regarding preparations for the trial, the lawyer stated that he had fulfilled all his responsibilities to his client, from meeting with the defendant and reaching a consensus to preparing evidence and documents. He noted that the former Chairman of Vinalines' health and spirits remain stable enough to attend the appeal hearing.

According to Dan Tri