An Giang (VNA) – The People’s Court of An Giang province on October 30 held a mobile first-instance trial at Tac Cau fishing port in Binh An commune for two criminal cases on charges of “organising illegal exit from the country.”
According to the indictment, from April 27 to May 15, 2025, Le Duy Tinh, born in 1981, residing in Rach Gia ward, An Giang province, captain of fishing vessel CM-99064-TS, took his boat and eight crew members beyond Vietnam’s maritime boundary into Malaysian waters to conduct illegal fishing. On their return, the vessel was detected and seized by Fisheries Surveillance Ship No. 216. GPS data from the vessel confirmed its operations within Malaysia’s territorial waters, consistent with the defendant’s confession.
At the hearing, Tinh admitted his violations. The trial panel stated that his actions not only breached criminal law regarding illegal exits but also seriously undermined Vietnam’s efforts to have the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning on its seafood sector lifted. The court sentenced Tinh to five years in prison.
In the second case, the indictment showed that between September and November 2022, defendant Tran Van Tai, born in 1978, residing in Vinh Thong ward, An Giang province, collaborated with Le Phuoc Hau, Tran Van Luyen, Pham Chi Dung, Tran Minh Tam, and Tran Van Nhut - all from the former Kien Giang province – to organise the illegal departure of 26 fishermen aboard two vessels, KG-93949-TS and KG-93971-TS, to fish unlawfully in Malaysian and Indonesian waters.
Tai acted as an accomplice by recruiting fishermen, providing travel guidance, and operating the boats. While fishing in Malaysian waters, the crews reportedly switched off their vessel monitoring systems and removed registration numbers to conceal their activities. On November 16, 2022, the Indonesian Navy discovered and detained the vessels along with all crew members.
At trial, Tai expressed remorse and cooperated with investigators. The court determined that his conduct seriously violated state regulations on immigration management and damaged Vietnam’s international reputation amid ongoing efforts for the removal of the EC’s “yellow card” warning. The court sentenced him to one year in prison.
Earlier, other defendants in the same case were sentenced by the former Kien Giang provincial People’s Court to prison terms ranging from one to eight years. Defendants Le Phuoc Hau and Tran Van Tai were later separated for further proceedings.
The two verdicts demonstrate the determination of An Giang’s judicial authorities to prosecute illegal border crossings, thereby raising public awareness, safeguarding national sovereignty, and curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing./.
