Mr. Dinh La Thang appealed.

With the 15-day appeal period ending as of the first-instance judgment (January 22nd), the Hanoi People's Court has received appeals from 12 out of 22 defendants in the embezzlement and intentional wrongdoing case at the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Construction Joint Stock Company (PVC).

In his appeal, Mr. Dinh La Thang argued that the 13-year prison sentence for intentionally violating regulations on economic management (Article 165 of the 1999 Penal Code) was "too harsh." He claimed the first-instance judgment did not fully, fairly, and objectively consider the scope of his responsibility.

Throughout the investigation and at the trial, he acknowledged his sincere responsibility as Chairman of the Board of Members of PVN, but this was not adequately assessed by the Judicial Council. The assessment of damages in the case lacked sufficient legal basis....

Mr. Thang requested the High Court in Hanoi to review the charges, penalties, and the amount of compensation to ensure they are consistent with the nature of the case and accurately assess his role and responsibility.

Defendant Trinh Xuan Thanh (former chairman of the board of directors of PVC) appealed, claiming innocence and arguing that he did not commit the two crimes as ruled by the Hanoi court. Mr. Thanh requested that the appellate court review his entire criminal and civil liability.

*Prison sentences for Mr. Dinh La Thang and 21 defendants.

Defendants Phung Dinh Thuc (former General Director of PVN), Nguyen Quoc Khanh (former Deputy General Director of PVN), Vu Duc Thuan (former General Director of PVC), Nguyen Anh Minh (former Deputy General Director of PVC), Ninh Van Quynh (former Chief Accountant and Head of the Finance, Accounting and Auditing Department of PVN), Le Dinh Mau (former Deputy Head of the Finance, Accounting and Auditing Department of PVN), Nguyen Manh Tien (former Deputy General Director of PVC), Bui Manh Hien (former Chief of Office of PVC), Luong Van Hoa (former Director of the Vung Ang - Quang Trach Project Management Board under PVC), and Nguyen Ngoc Quy (former Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of PVC) all appealed for a reduction in their prison sentences, a reduction in the amount of civil compensation, and consideration of additional mitigating circumstances.

Defendant Truong Quoc Dung (former deputy general director of PVC) did not request a reduction in his prison sentence, but only requested a reduction in the amount of civil compensation (2.3 billion VND) and a reduction in civil court fees (79 million VND).