Death penalty proposed for Vinalines former bosses

The Hanoi People’s Procuracy has demanded death penalty for two former executives of the Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) who went on trial on December 12.

TheHanoi People’s Procuracy has demanded death penalty for two formerexecutives of the Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) who wenton trial on December 12.

Former Chairman of Vinalines DuongChi Dung and former General Director Mai Van Phuc have beencharged with intentionally violating State regulations on economicmanagement causing severe consequences and embezzlement.

Imprisonment of between 22-24 years was recommended for Tran Huu Chieu,Vinalines’s former Vice General Director, and between 28-30 years forTran Hai Son, Director of Vinalines Ship Repair Co. Ltd, on the samecharges.

The prosecutors also sought 6-8 years in prison forBui Thi Bich Loan, Vinalines’ former chief accountant, Le Van Duong,former official at Vietnam Registry, and Huynh Huu Duc, Le Ngoc Trienand Le Van Lung, former officials at Van Phong Customs Office, Khanh Hoaprovince; and 8-10 years for Mai Van Khang, member of Vinalines projectmanagement board, on charge of intentionally violating Stateregulations on economic management causing severe consequences.

Besides, Dung, Phuc, Son and Chieu were asked to pay back over 28billion VND (1.3 million USD) they had embezzled, while the tendefendants would have to pay compensation to damages they have caused inthe case worth a total of 338 billion VND (15.8 million USD).

According to the indictment issued at the court, during 2007-2008, Dungand his accomplices violated regulations on investment, bidding andcustoms procedures for import and export through the purchase and repairof Floating Dock 83M. The malpractice caused losses of 366.9 billionVND (17.2 million USD) to the State budget.

In thedeal, Dung and three others, namely Mai Van Phuc, Tran Huu Chieu, andTran Hai Son, appropriated 28 billion VND (1.3 million USD).

The indictment said while knowing that the floating dock, built in1965, has been damaged and no longer in use since 2006 and its owneroffered a negotiable price of under five million USD, Dung still signedDecision 186/QD-HDQT on February 15, 2008 approving the purchasing ofthe dock at a price tag of 9 million USD from an intermediary, theSingapore-based AP company, which bought the dock from its real owner atonly 2.3 million USD.

According to the procuracy,Dung was the main culprit in the case and also misappropriated 10billion VND (470,000 USD).

Dung wasarrested on September 4, 2012 after several months on the run sinceMay 17, 2012 when an indictment and arrest warrant were issued for him.

The trial is scheduled to last three days.-VNA

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