While on the run, former AIC Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan still files an appeal

On January 31, the Hanoi People's Court announced that it had received appeals from 17 defendants in the case at the International Progress Joint Stock Company (AIC Company) and the Dong Nai General Hospital project.

Notably, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan (former Chairwoman of AIC Company) is being wanted internationally, but her lawyer has appealed on her behalf, arguing that the prosecution agency's investigation was incomplete and could not prove that she was the mastermind of the case.

In addition to Ms. Nhan, defendant Hoang Thi Thuy Nga, former Deputy General Director of AIC, appealed to the appellate court to re-evaluate her role as a salaried employee. Previously, the first instance judgment determined that the defendant played a major role in the case, so she was sentenced to 12 years in prison. This defendant also appealed the content of having to compensate for damages.

Defendants Phan Huy Anh Vu, former Director of Dong Nai General Hospital and Bo Ngoc Thu, former Director of Dong Nai Province Department of Planning and Investment appealed for a reduction in their sentences.

In addition, seven other defendants who are on the run have also filed appeals. Their lawyers have also appealed for leniency for their clients or requested the appellate court to review the first instance verdict on the grounds that the evidence was insufficient and the investigation process was flawed.

Mr. Tran Dinh Thanh (former Secretary of Dong Nai Province) and Mr. Dinh Quoc Thai (former Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee) did not appeal. They accepted the first instance sentence of 11 and 9 years in prison, respectively, for the crime of "Accepting bribes".

In the sentencing on January 4, the Hanoi People's Court stated that defendant Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan contacted Dong Nai leaders to ask for help, allowing AIC Company to participate and win the bid at Dong Nai General Hospital even though she knew she did not have the financial capacity to participate.

Ms. Nhan then directed her staff to collude with the investor and other units to prepare bidding documents in a way that helped AIC Company win the bid. Through this, AIC participated in and won 16 illegal bid packages at Dong Nai General Hospital, causing a loss of 152 billion VND.

While working in Dong Nai, defendant Nhan and his subordinates bribed the then Secretary of Dong Nai, Mr. Tran Dinh Thanh, 14.5 billion VND; Dinh Quoc Thai, 14.5 billion VND and Phan Huy Anh Vu, 14.8 billion VND. Defendant Bo Ngoc Thu was also "thanked" 1 billion VND.

The court determined that defendant Nhan committed the crimes of bribery and bidding violations as the leader and mastermind, and suffered the aggravating circumstance of absconding.

Former employees at AIC said they followed Ms. Nhan's highest instructions. Former Deputy General Director Hoang Thi Thuy Nga said she was authorized by Nhan to carry out bid rigging at the project, contact provincial leaders, direct subordinate employees and connect with "blue forces".

Due to the above actions, all 36 defendants in the case were sentenced to prison, including 8 who were absent. Regarding civil matters, the court determined that AIC Company requested compensation of 152 billion VND, but the collateral was not enough, so only a part of it was recorded. Therefore, AIC Company, defendants Nhan, Tran Manh Ha and Hoang Thi Thuy Nga must all compensate.

The group of defendants Tran Dinh Thanh, Dinh Quoc Thai, Phan Huy Anh Vu, and Bo Ngoc Thu must pay the illegal profits, and acknowledge that they have paid this amount. The "blue team" businesses in the case must also pay back the illegal profits.

According to VTC