Nghe An: Trial begins for illegal logging of Pơ mu wood.

(Baonghean.vn) - The People's Court of Que Phong district held a public trial for the illegal logging of Pơ mu wood in the Pù Hoạt Nature Reserve. This was the same illegal logging case from July 2016 that attracted public attention.

» Criminal proceedings initiated in case of illegal logging of Pơ mu wood in Pù Hoạt Nature Reserve

Defendant Vi Van Hoai. Photo: Nhat Lan.

According to initial information, the illegal logging operation was led by Vi Văn Hoài (born in 1989, residing in Hủa Mương village, Hạnh Dịch commune, Quế Phong district); also involved with Vi Văn Hoài were Vi Văn Hải, Lô Văn Phong, and Lô Văn Páo (all residing in Hủa Mương village).

According to the indictment of the Que Phong District People's Procuracy, from July to August 2016, Vi Van Hoai and the other defendants Hai, Phong, and Pao committed the act of illegally exploiting Pơ mu wood three times. The total amount of Pơ mu wood illegally exploited by the defendants was 6.22 cubic meters.³.

The defendants stand before the dock. Photo by Nhat Lan.

In this case, the investigating agency determined that Vi Van Hoai was the ringleader, having directly and illegally exploited three Pơ mu trees belonging to Group IIA of the "List of Endangered and Rare Forest Plants and Animals" whose exploitation and use for commercial purposes is restricted, as stipulated in Government Decree No. 32/2006/ND-CP dated March 30, 2006; thus committing the crime of "Violating regulations on forest exploitation and protection" as stipulated in point a, clause 1, Article 175 of the Penal Code.

Regarding the three individuals Hai, Phong, and Pao, the investigating agency determined that they participated in the crime with Vi Van Hoai, but not to the extent of incurring criminal liability; their files and documents have been transferred to the competent authority for handling according to the law.

Many residents of Nam Giai commune, Que Phong district, attended the trial. Photo: Nhat Lan

On the morning of April 12, 2017, the People's Procuracy decided to prosecute defendant Vi Văn Hoài before the People's Court of Quế Phong District for a mobile trial at the headquarters of the Nậm Giải Commune People's Committee, Quế Phong District, in accordance with the law.

Nghe An Newspaper will continue to provide updates on the trial of defendant Vi Van Hoai.

Nhat Lan