Defending themselves, many subordinates burst into tears and apologized to Mr. Dinh La Thang.

This morning (January 14), the trial of defendant Dinh La Thang and 21 accomplices in the major economic case at PVN and PVC continued with the defendants defending themselves.

Former PVN CEO affirms no involvement in EPC 33 contract

Standing on the podium before the jury as the first person to defend himself, defendant Phung Dinh Thuc - former General Director of PVN once again affirmed that he himself was not involved in directing PVPower to sign EPC contract No. 33 with PVC against regulations, then directing subordinates at PVN and the Project Management Board to use this contract to advance 6,607,500 USD and over 1,312 billion VND to PVC so that defendant Trinh Xuan Thanh and his accomplices could use more than 1,115 billion VND for the wrong purpose, causing damage to the State of over 119 billion VND.

Defendant Phung Dinh Thuc still kept the same answer as in the previous trial that, in the 4 times of capital contribution, 3 times the defendant had no opinion, only once had an opinion requesting review in accordance with the signed contract but the subordinate did not perform correctly and did not report.

However, the defendant had some negligence and lack of supervision because at that time there were many important projects being implemented.

Defendant Thuc also said that he always confessed honestly at the investigation agency, as well as the evidence presented in court to prove his innocence. Furthermore, the defendant did not blame his subordinates, he worked impartially, without personal gain, without group interests, without favoring anyone...

In addition, the defendant also said that he has been attached to the oil and gas industry for 40 years and his only goal in life is to contribute to the industry. The defendant always keeps in mind that doing the right thing, leading PVN has achieved many important achievements, preserving and developing capital well, increasing profits and contributing to the budget...

Meanwhile, the defendant himself was also assessed by the competent authority to have made exceptionally outstanding contributions, especially in scientific works. Therefore, the defendant hopes that the People's Court and the People's Procuracy will reconsider his criminal behavior.

Next, defendant Nguyen Quoc Khanh - former Deputy General Director of PVN defended himself. However, defendant Khanh only spoke very briefly, affirming that he had confessed very honestly during the investigation. The defendant himself had directly submitted hundreds of documents to the investigation agency to quickly clarify the case.

The defendant said that his family had proactively compensated the consequences with 2 billion VND, although they did not yet know the extent of the damage in terms of criminal and civil liability.

Subordinates burst into tears and apologized to Dinh La Thang

Another notable development in the trial this morning, after defendant Nguyen Quoc Khanh finished his self-defense, it was defendantNguyen Xuan Son- Former Deputy General Director of PVN defended himself.

Standing in court, defendant Son took the time to tell about his active cooperation with the investigation agency, honestly testifying to clarify the case. Defendant Son also gave his opinion to defend defendant Le Dinh Mau - former Deputy Head of Finance, Accounting and Auditing Department of PVN; Defendant Ninh Van Quynh - former Chief Accountant - Head of Finance, Accounting and Auditing Department of PVN that the act of "Intentionally violating the State's regulations on economic management causing serious consequences" was not satisfactory, the responsibility belonged to the defendant himself, so he requested the panel of judges to consider...

During his self-defense, defendant Pham Tien Dat - former Chief Accountant of PVC suddenly burst into tears twice because he thought the sentence proposed by the representative of the People's Procuracy for him was too harsh (7-8 years in prison). Immediately after that, defendant Dat bowed his head and cried, apologizing.Defendant Dinh La Thang:"The defendant sincerely apologizes to defendant Dinh La Thang, Phung Dinh Thuc and the leaders of PVN Group because part of his mistake has implicated you."