Defendants in PVC trial have final say before verdict consideration

Hanoi (VNA) – Defendants in the first-instance trial on several charges of wrongdoings at the PetroVietnam Construction Joint Stock Corporation (PVC) had the final say on January 17 morning before the judging council deliberates the verdict.

Dinh La Thang, former Chairman of the Member Council of PetroVietnam who is charged with “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences”, was the first defendant to have the final say.

He said during 35 years of working, he had always made efforts to fulfill assigned tasks. He had never thought that one day, he would have to stand at the court and make the final say. He said this is an “anguish and misfortune” for him and his family as well.

Thang said he still owes people many things, including transport works and social projects, and apologized to the Party, the State, people nationwide, workers of the oil and gas sector and the transport sector, and people of Ho Chi Minh City.

He voiced his hope that the judging council will precisely assess each defendant’s actions and the nature of the case. He also expressed his absolute loyalty to the Party and the State and his belief in the judging council’s impartial, fair and humane settlement.

Former Chairman of PVC Trinh Xuan Thanh is charged with both “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences” and “misappropriating property”.

In his final say, he said he hopes that the judging council will make careful and just consideration. He added after the case is over, he wants to be allowed to go to Germany to care for his family.

[PVC trial: Life imprisonment proposed for Trinh Xuan Thanh]

Meanwhile, Phung Dinh Thuc – former Director General of PetroVietnam, charged with “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences”, said he had not intentionally committed wrongdoings, but there had still been shortcomings in his examination and acceleration of work. He admitted that he had not fully performed his responsibility.

Facing the same charge, former Deputy Director General of PetroVietnam Nguyen Quoc Khanh pleaded with the judging council for leniency.

Among the 22 defendants in the case, 12 were charged with “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences”. Eight others were accused of “misappropriating property”.

Trinh Xuan Thanh and Vu Duc Thuan (former PVC General Director) were charged with both “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences” and “misappropriating property.”

They were charged with irregularities during the construction of key projects, including Thai Binh 2 thermal power plant.-VNA