The convicts at the appeal trial on July 17. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

HÀ NỘI — Seven convicts in the notorious Việt Á Case were proposed for sentence reductions during an appeal trial on July 17.

Phan Quốc Việt, Việt Á company's former General Director, is among those appealing for reduced prison terms.

He was sentenced to 25 years behind bars during the first-instance trial, for bribing several government officials to obtain licences to sell COVID-19 testing kits at high prices during the pandemic.

During the appeal trial, heard by the Central Military Court, the prosecutor argued that the payment of VNĐ200 million (US$7,890) in compensation for damages by Việt Á and his role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic could be considered an extenuating circumstance in his favour.

The prosecutor, accordingly, proposed reducing his sentence from 25 years to 22 years.

Trịnh Thanh Hùng, former Director of the Department of Science and Technology for Economic-Technical Sectors and Hồ Anh Sơn, former Deputy Director of the Military Medical Academy’s Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, are other convicts who have filed appeals seeking sentence reductions.

Hùng and Sơn were found guilty of abusing their powers as they collaborated with Việt to enlist Việt Á as the Academy's project partner, enabling it to secure licences for test kit mass production.

The prosecutor proposed a reduced sentence for Hùng, from 15 years to 13 years in prison, on the grounds of a Deputy Minister of Science and Technology's request, his compensation for damages and his role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similarly, the prosecutor proposed Sơn to be sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, down from his original 12-year term.

Another convict, Nguyễn Văn Hiệu, former Head of the Academy's Equipment and Supplies Division, was also recommended for a reduced sentence.

Hiệu was convicted of violating bidding regulations to help Việt Á win bids, becoming the test kid supplier for the Academy. Việt paid Hiệu more than VNĐ3.5 billion (US$138,000) for the help.

After weighing the mitigating factors, the prosecutor proposed Hiệu be under lock and key for five years, instead of seven years as ruled in the first-instance verdict.

Three other convicts recommended for reduced sentences are Vũ Đình Hiệp, Việt Á's former Deputy General Director, Lê Trường Minh, former Head of the Academy's Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department and Ngô Anh Tuấn, former Head of the Academy's Finance Department.

Hiệp, convicted of bribing government officials to win contracts with various Centres for Disease Control, and Minh, accused of forging documents to help Việt Á win the bids, were recommended to have their sentence reduced from six years to four years in prison.

Tuấn, found guilty of taking Việt's money to assist him in his scheme is appealing for a two- year jail term with the sentence suspended. He was sentenced to four years at the first-instance trial. — VNS