Post by : Shakul

After a week-long appeal hearing, the Appellate Panel of the Supreme People's Court in Hanoi announced reduced prison sentences for several former leaders of Vietnam Cement Corporation (VICEM) in connection with violations linked to the corporation’s headquarters construction project on Pham Hung Street in Hanoi. The case involved charges related to violations in the management and use of state assets, resulting in losses and waste, as well as breaches of bidding regulations that caused serious consequences.

The court concluded that the actions of the defendants caused significant economic damage and negatively affected public confidence in the management of state-owned assets. According to the judges, the defendants held key leadership positions within VICEM and were responsible for making important decisions during the planning and implementation of the project. Although investigators found no evidence that the defendants acted for personal gain, the project was carried out in violation of investment, construction, and bidding regulations, resulting in a major unfinished development that could not be put into operation.

During the appeal proceedings, the court reviewed several new mitigating factors presented by the defendants. All of the accused admitted their wrongdoing, cooperated with investigators, and expressed remorse for their actions. Most importantly, the defendants collectively paid more than 119 billion Vietnamese dong to help compensate for the losses caused by the project. The court also reviewed numerous commendations, certificates of merit, and records highlighting the defendants’ previous professional contributions and achievements.

One of the most notable rulings involved Nguyen Ngoc Anh, the former General Director of VICEM. His request for acquittal was rejected by the appellate court, but the judges accepted several mitigating circumstances, including his age, serious health condition, and distinguished professional record. Nguyen Ngoc Anh, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment and is over 70 years old, had his sentence reduced from 15 years to 13 years in prison for the two offenses.

The court also granted sentence reductions to several other former executives. Du Ngoc Long, former Director of the VICEM Project Management Board, saw his sentence reduced from 12 years and 6 months to 9 years in prison. Hoang Ngoc Hieu, former Head of the VICEM Project Appraisal Department, received a reduced sentence of 10 years, down from 11 years. Both men were convicted on charges related to state asset management violations and bidding irregularities.

Former VICEM Chairman Le Van Chung also received a significant reduction, with his prison term lowered from 13 years to 10 years. Ta Quang Buu, a former member of the Board of Members and Deputy General Director, had his sentence reduced from 9 years to 7 years. The appellate court stated that these reductions reflected the defendants’ efforts to remedy the consequences and the presence of additional mitigating circumstances presented during the appeal process.

In its final verdict, the court emphasized that while the offenses were serious and warranted strict punishment, the law also allows consideration of humanitarian factors and post-offense corrective actions. Several other defendants, including former executives from Vietnam Construction Consulting Corporation (VNCC), received reduced sentences and suspended prison terms. The ruling marks the latest development in one of Vietnam’s most closely watched state enterprise corruption and mismanagement cases, highlighting both accountability and the legal system’s consideration of rehabilitation efforts.

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