HÀ NỘI — The military court of Military Zone 7 yesterday sentenced Đinh Ngọc Hệ, alias Út ‘trọc’, to 12 years in prison in a case involving legal violations at Thái Son Corporation under the Defence Ministry.

The defendant, former Deputy Director General of the Thái Sơn Corporation, received a jail term of 10 years for abusing his position and power while performing official duties, and two years for using falsified documents of agencies and organisations.

Also with the charge of abusing position and power while performing official duties, Trần Văn Lâm, former Director General of Thái Sơn Development and Investment Joint Stock Company (Thái Sơn JSC); Trần Xuân Sơn, former director of Bình Dương branch of Thái Sơn JSC; and Bùi Văn Tiệp, former commander of Division 367 of the Air Defence-Air Force Service, were given sentences of five years behind bars, 18 months’ probation and 24 months’ probation, respectively.

Sơn was freed at the trial.

Phùng Danh Thắm, former Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Thái Sơn Corporation, got a 24- month non-custody sentence for lack of responsibility causing serious consequences.

He is not allowed to assume corporate management posts for the next four years. Lâm and Sơn are barred from such posts for three years, and Tiệp and Thắm for two years after the verdict comes into force. The defendants were also ordered to compensate the State VNĐ1.4 billion (US$60,200).

The court concluded that he was honoured with orders and medals during the period he was using falsified documents to cheat agencies and organisations. The jury said proposals must be made to revoke such honours.

Đinh Ngọc Hệ was determined to be the mastermind behind the case as he instructed the illegal use of military transport vehicles and those wearing official number plates, and the officialisation of the trade of low-quality oil and gas.

He was found to have asked Lâm to sign contracts to mortgage the vehicles at credit establishments to get loans. The court also found that Tiệp and Sơn supported Hệ and Lâm to officialise the documents related to the substandard oil, and Thắm, as General Director of Thái Sơn Corporation, showed lax management of Thái Sơn JSC and his subordinates. — VNS