Trial of 17 defendants in the 'rescue flight' case, phase 2

Today, December 24, the Hanoi People's Court brought 17 defendants in the "rescue flight" phase 2 case to trial under the first instance procedure.

17 defendants must appear in court for bribery, bribery, and abuse of power while performing official duties. Of these, 13 defendants were released on bail and 4 defendants were detained.

In connection with the case, Mr. Tran Tung (former Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Thai Nguyen province) was brought to trial for two crimes of accepting bribes and taking advantage of his position and power while performing official duties.

Defendant Tran Tung was accused of receiving bribes three times with a total amount of more than 4.4 billion VND and taking advantage of his position and power while performing official duties, violating official duties to advise and propose to the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen province to carry out 7 flights for Ms. Bui Thi Kim Phung, benefiting from more than 3.2 billion VND.

The trial panel summoned 53 people with rights and obligations related to the trial. In particular, 7 people who were defendants in phase 1 of the “rescue flight” case were summoned to this trial as witnesses and people with related rights and obligations. They are currently being reformed in prisons.

Judge Nguyen Xuan Van presided over the trial. Representatives of the Procuracy attending the trial included prosecutors Do Manh Quang, Nguyen Thi Lan Anh and Do Minh Tuan. About 20 lawyers registered to participate in protecting the legal rights and interests of the defendants.

According to the accusation, when the Covid-19 epidemic broke out and became complicated, the Government directed the organization of flights to bring Vietnamese citizens from abroad back to the country to prevent the epidemic. The Government assigned the Government Office, working groups of several ministries, branches and localities to carry out the flight licensing process and the quarantine policy.

Taking advantage of the Party and State's policies and assigned positions and powers, a number of individuals at the People's Committees of provinces and cities have agreed to give or receive bribes.

The defendants violated their official duties by advising and proposing approval for businesses to bring citizens back to the country for medical quarantine in localities; directly or through intermediaries, colluded and agreed with officials of the Ministry of Health to give/receive large bribes to have documents approving and reviewing citizens (individual passengers) to return on single flights.

There are defendants who took advantage of their positions to guide and incite related people to make false statements, conceal crimes, and obstruct the investigation and clarification of crimes by authorities.

17 defendants on trial include:

1. Tran Tung (born in 1978, former Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Thai Nguyen province).

2. Tran Thi Quyen (born in 1986, Director of Sen Vang Dat Viet Company).

3. Le Thi Phuong (born in 1969, former specialist of the Department of Science, Culture and Society, Office of the People's Committee of Hai Duong province).

4. Nguyen Van Van (born in 1965, former Deputy Director of the Department of Health of Quang Nam province).

5. Le Ngoc Tuong (born in 1979, former Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam province).

6. Nguyen Manh Truong (born in 1980, former specialist of the Air Transport Department, Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Ministry of Transport).

7. Vu Hong Quang (born in 1977, former Deputy Head of Air Transport Department, Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Ministry of Transport).

8. Tran Thanh Nha (born in 1991, residing in Binh Thanh district, Ho Chi Minh City).

9. Vu Hoang Dung (born in 1987, residing in Tay Ho district, Hanoi).

10. Nguyen Manh Cuong (born in 1977, former Head of E-commerce Department, Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company).

11. Dang Nhat Duc (born in 1975, Director of Top Agent Japan Co., Ltd.).

12. Bui Dang Khoa (born in 1984, Director of World Travel LLC).

13. Truong Thi My Dung (born in 1972, Director of Anh Sao Thien Tourism Service Trading Company Limited).

14. Pham Quoc Thang (born in 1977, Director of PNR Company Limited).

15. Tran Thi Ngan (born in 1984, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Ana Travel Trading and Service Company Limited).

16. Tran Minh Phung (born in 1970, Director of Gia Huy Construction, Tourism and Service Trading Company Limited).

17. Nguyen Xuan Thong (born in 1975, former police officer).