Defendants appear in court on Thursday. VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Điệp

GIA LAI — Twelve government officials have been jailed for embezzling funds and failing in their duties.

The People’s Court of the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai handed down prison sentences to senior members of staff at the Bắc Biển Hồ protective forest’s management board and land registry officials.

Nguyễn Đức, 48, head of the forest’s management board was sentenced to 84 months in prison for “intentionally violating the State’s regulations on economic management, causing serious consequence” and abusing positions and powers while performing duties.

Đặng Văn Cườm, 44, chief accountant was sentenced 39 months in prison on charges of “intentionally violating the State’s regulations on economic management, causing serious consequence” and embezzlement.

Other defendants including Mã Phi Bình, an official in charge of land registration from Diên Phú Commune, Ngô Văn Bằng, former chairman of Diên Phú Commune, Tưởng Tín, former head of Bắc Biển Hồ protective forest’s managent board; Trương Văn Hoàn, Phạm Thị Trâm and Lê Huy Phong from Pleiku City’s land registration office received jail sentence ranging from six to 18 months for “lack of responsibility, causing serious consequences”.

Nguyễn Tiến Dũng, Ngô Xuân Hiền, Phạm Thị Bích Thủy and Nguyễn Thành Tiên from Pleiku City’s Natural Resources and Environment Division and City’s Land Registration Office received from six to nine months of non-custodial sentence on the same charge.

The 12 defendants were also ordered to pay more than VNĐ800 million (U$34,500) to compensate for their violations. — VNS