Today, Phan Van Anh Vu and two former Chairmen of Da Nang were sentenced.

Defendants Phan Van Anh Vu and Tran Van Minh pleaded not guilty.

After two days of deliberation, the jury in the case of public land acquisition in Da Nang will announce the verdict at 2:00 p.m. today, January 13. The defendants include Phan Van Anh Vu (former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Construction Joint Stock Company 79, Bac Nam Joint Stock Company 79), two former Chairmen of Da Nang, Tran Van Minh, Van Huu Chien, and 18 other defendants.

Previously, at court, defendants Tran Van Minh and Phan Van Anh Vu disagreed with the prosecution's indictment and pleaded not guilty. The other defendants admitted their wrongdoings but cited many objective reasons, hoping the panel of judges would consider reducing their sentences.

In the proposed sentence section, the People's Procuracy proposed to sentence Mr.Tran Van Minh was sentenced to 17-18 years in prison for violating regulations on management and use of state assets, causing loss and waste; and 8-9 years in prison for violating regulations on land management. The total sentence is 25-27 years in prison.

The People's Procuracy proposed sentencing Mr. Van Huu Chien to 13-14 years in prison for violating regulations on management and use of state assets, causing loss and waste; and 5-6 years in prison for violating regulations on land management. The total sentence is 18-20 years in prison.

Proposed sentence for Phan Van Anh Vu is 17-18 years in prison for violating regulations on management and use of state assets, causing loss and waste; and 8-9 years in prison for violating regulations on land management. Total sentence is 25-27 years in prison.

The Procuracy suddenly changed its opinion.

Other defendants were recommended to be sentenced from 3 to 16 years in prison. However, the debate changed the opinion of the Procuracy. For defendant Nguyen Van Can (former chief of office of the People's Committee of Da Nang City).The Procuracy found that the defendant was subject to administrative orders. Therefore, it is not necessary to isolate the defendant as previously proposed, but it is possible to apply Article 29 of the Penal Code to exempt the defendant from criminal liability for the purpose of general education and reform, while demonstrating the leniency of the law.

In addition, the representative of the People's Procuracy also requested to consider the behavior of Tran Van Minh applied according to Article 229 of the Penal Code, not mentioning the civil liability of the defendants in the two above-mentioned projects. Similarly, for defendant Nguyen Quang Thanh (Director of Minh Hung Phat Company Limited) in the An Cu 2 expansion project and An Cu 3 expansion project and Phan Minh Cuong (General Director of Construction Joint Stock Company 79, Director of IVC Company Limited) in the 3.77 ha Truong Sa road project. These defendants committed the act under the direction of Phan Van Anh Vu in the role of supporting, secondary, passive accomplices.

The People's Procuracy also requested that the panel of judges not necessarily impose prison sentences and not mention civil liability for the defendants.

Considering the case as a whole, through the debate at the trial, the defendants' testimonies, the defense attorney's opinions and the testimonies of the people involved, the People's Procuracy requested the panel of judges to consider reducing part of the sentence for the defendants Tran Phi (former General Director of Da Nang Import-Export Joint Stock Company), Phan Ngoc Thach (former Director of Da Nang Tourism Joint Stock Company), Le Anh Tuan (Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of Da Nang Ship Supply Joint Stock Company), Huynh Tan Loc (former Director of Da Nang Pharmaceutical Technology Joint Stock Company) and Nguyen Ngoc Tuan (former Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee). As for defendant Phan Van Anh Vu, the People's Procuracy still requested that he be severely punished.