Hanoi (VNA) – A prison term from 12 to 13years has been proposed for former Chairman of the Board of Directors of theVietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) Dinh La Thang, during anongoing trial on the case of violating regulations on investment inconstruction works, causing serious consequences at an ethanol plant in thenorthern province of Phu Tho.
Combined with sentences given to him in previous cases,Thang would spend a total 30 years in prison, a procuracy representative toldthe trial on March 10.
For former Chairman of the Board of Directors andformer General Director of the PetroVietnam Construction JSC (PVC) Trinh XuanThanh, the Hanoi People’s Procuracy proposed jail sentences of 11-12 years for“violating regulations on investment in construction works, causing seriousconsequences”, and 10-11 years for “abusing position and power while performingduties”. Taking into account previous sentences, he would face lifeimprisonment.
Former General Director of the PetroVietnam PetroChemicalsand Biofuel JSC (PVB) Vu Thanh Ha faced proposed imprisonment of 7-8 years for“violating regulations on investment in construction works, causing seriousconsequences”.
Prison terms ranging from 30 months to six yearswere sought for other defendants, including former executives of PVB and PVC, onthe same charge.
Chairman of the Board of Directors and GeneralDirector of the Kinh Bac Petroleum Construction and Investment JSC Do Van Hongwould face a jail sentence of 6-7 years for “abusing position and power whileperforming duties”.
According to the indictment, Thang signed aresolution to approve the investment in the project in October 2007. With Thang’sinstruction, PVC/Alfa Laval/Delta-T joint contractors, who had no previousexperience in carrying out ethanol projects, were appointed to implement theproject.
As a result, the project was continuously behindschedule and stopped in March 2013 with no construction items done.
Wrongdoingsof the defendants were said to cause a loss of more than 543 billion VND (23.49million USD).
At the court, Thanh confessed that when signing the contracton the implementation of the project with a funding of 59 million USD, he wasaware that the amount is not enough to cover the implementation./.
