Former Vinalines Chairman’s brother gets 16 year sentence

 
Duong Tu Trong (second from left, first row) at the appeals court.

Trong is the former deputy director of Haiphong City's Police Department. The jury on May 23 turned down the petitions of appeal filed by the other offenders in the case and decided to maintain their original penalties.

Vu Tien Son was sentenced to 13 years in prison, Tran Van Dung eight years, Dong Xuan Phong received seven years, Nguyen Trong Anh got six years and Pham Minh Tuan five years.

The jury said that the crimes were extremely serious, as many of the offenders were policemen colluded with criminals to arrange for Duong Chi Dung to flee abroad.

The jury commented that Duong Tu Trong was the mastermind in the case and directed other offenders to facilitate Duong Chi Dung's escape to Cambodia. When Duong Chi Dung failed to gain entry to the US and returned to Cambodia, Trong directed other offenders to provide Dung money.

At the appeals court, the jury said Trong was honest in making his statement and decided to reduce his penalty by two years.

A representative from the People’s Supreme Procuracy said the crime was conducted in a sophisticated manner and required the cooperation of a highly placed official.

Dung's flight to Cambodia not only make difficulties for anti-corruption agencies, but also stirred up public concerns over the competence of law enforcement. Had Dung not been captured, it would have been impossible to retrieve the money he embezzled.

On May 7, the Hanoi's People's Court handed down death sentences to Duong Chi Dung, and former Vinalines CEO, Mai Van Phuc. Dung and Phuc were accused of intentionally violating state regulations and embezzling state assets. They poured millions of USD into buying and repairing the obsolete floating dock No83M, which had been taken out of active service by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.