According to the High-level People’s Procuracy in HCM City, all seven defendants presented valid new mitigating circumstances, justifying lighter sentences. The court is now considering reducing penalties across the board, as proposed by the prosecutors.
According to the High-level People’s Procuracy in HCM City, all seven defendants presented valid new mitigating circumstances, justifying lighter sentences. The court is now considering reducing penalties across the board, as proposed by the prosecutors.
Mai Thi Hong Hanh, Director and Chairwoman of the Board of Members of Xuyen Viet Oil, who was identified as the ringleader, had previously received a total of 30 years in prison, including 19 years for “violating regulations on state asset management, causing loss and wastefulness” and 11 years for “giving bribes.” The prosecutors are now proposing a reduction of 18-24 months for her sentence.
The prosecutors also proposed a sentence cut for Le Duc Tho, former Secretary of the Ben Tre provincial Party Committee, who was convicted of receiving bribes and abusing his position to force VietinBank’s Ben Tre branch to grant Xuyen Viet Oil a favourable credit line of 400 billion VND (15.39 million USD).
Tho was originally sentenced to 28 years in prison, including 15 years for receiving bribes and 13 years for abusing power. The prosecutors now suggest a reduction of 5-7 years, citing similar mitigating factors.
The prosecutors also proposed reduction of between 9-24 months for the remaining five defendants.
A final judgement is scheduled to be announced on the morning of May 12./.
VNA
