Thanh claims innocence, Thăng asks for leniency

February 04, 2018 - 19:00

Twelve out of 22 defendants in the case of “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences” at PetroVietnam Construction Joint Stock Corporation (PVC), have lodged appeals, two weeks after the Court of Hà Nội declared judgments.

Đinh La Thăng, former Politburo member and chairman of State-owned PetroVietnam, answers the judge panel’s questions on January 9. — VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng
Viet Nam News

HÀ NỘI — Twelve out of 22 defendants in the case of “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences” at PetroVietnam Construction Joint Stock Corporation (PVC), have lodged appeals, two weeks after the Court of Hà Nội declared judgments.
The majority of the defendants asked for reductions in the sentences and compensation that the Court of Hà Nội announced on January 22.
In his appeal, Trịnh Xuân Thanh, former PVC Chairman, claimed his innocence, refuting both charges of “asset embezzlement” and “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences”. He asked the court of appeal to reconsider his criminal and civil responsibilities.
Earlier, the court handed down a life sentence on the charge of “asset embezzlement” and 14 years in jail for “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences”. The combined penalty for both counts is life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Đinh La Thăng, former Chairman of PetroVietnam’s Member Council said that the punishment the court gave him was too strict without adequate consideration of his co-operation and honesty during the investigation process and in court.
He asked the court of appeal to reconsider his charge, punishment and compensation. 
The Hà Nội court gave him 13 years in jail for his charge of “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences”. — VNS 

 

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