12 defendants stand trial in Son La exam scandal

The first-instance trial of 12 defendants in the 2018 exam scandal in Son La province was opened on May 21 (Photo: VNA)

The trial was delayed for more than six months as the court requested further investigations.

Eight defendants are being prosecuted for “abusing position and power while performing duties”, including Tran Xuan Yen (former Deputy Director of the Son La Provincial Department of Education and Training), Lo Van Huynh (former head of the department’s division for examination and educational quality management), Cam Thi Bun Son (former deputy head of the department’s division for politics and thought), Nguyen Thanh Nhan (former deputy head of the division for examination and educational quality management), and Nguyen Thi Hong Nga (former specialist at the division for examination and educational quality management).

Former Vice Rector of the To Hieu High School Dang Huu Thuy and two other former cadres of the internal political security division at the Son La Department of Public Security, Do Khac Hung and Dinh Hai Son, also face the same charge.

Meanwhile, four other defendants were accused of “offering bribes”, including Hoang Thi Thanh (former Chairwoman of the Farmers’ Union in the province’s Quynh Nhai district), Tran Van Dien (a former cadre at the Chieng Coi Primary and Junior High School), Lo Thi Truong (a resident in Son La city), and Nguyen Minh Khoa (former deputy head of the internal political security division at the Department of Public Security).

Lo Van Huynh, Nguyen Thi Hong Nga, and Cam Thi Bun Son were also charged with “receiving bribes”.

According to the indictment from the Son La Provincial People’s Procuracy, the defendants took advantage of their positions and power for self-interest. Via relations with family, friends, and colleagues, they colluded with one another to raise the scores of 44 examination takers.