Mr. Nguyen Bac Son's family paid 12.5 billion VND in advance.
This morning (December 21), Mr. Nguyen Bac Son's family submitted a petition to the People's Court to pay 12.5 billion VND to remedy the consequences of accepting a bribe of 3 million USD.
On the fifth day of the trial opened at the Hanoi People's Court on the morning of December 21, lawyer Pham Cong Hung said that the wishes of former Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Bac Son, his family and friends have gathered 12.5 billion VND. The family has submitted a petition to the People's Court and is completing procedures to pay this amount in advance.
According to the lawyer, the family has not been able to borrow more money, so they would like to pledge the house in the name of Mr. Son and his wife on Ly Nam De Street as collateral. "The wish has been accepted, Mr. Son should be happy and relax," the lawyer told his client. At this time, Mr. Son sat with his arms crossed, shaking his legs, and looked intently at the lawyer.
Mr. Nguyen Bac Son was proposed to be sentenced to death by the Hanoi People's Procuracy in the indictment on December 20. Photo:VNA |
In response to Mr. Son's refusal to have a defense attorney defend him on the bribery charge three days ago, Mr. Hung asked the panel of judges for their opinion. The presiding judge then announced that Mr. Son was being prosecuted for the crime ofTake bribesThe highest penalty is death, so even if he refuses, he still needs a defense attorney. The judge invited Mr. Hung to continue his work.
The trial continues with oral arguments.