The court has ruled and as the trial has officially ended, sentencing has been handed down for the defendants in the Project 122 case.
Luong Cao Son, the Secretary of Project 112's Management Board will receive the highest penalty. According to the Court, he was a lead instigator in the Project 112 scandal. His sentence will be 6 years in prison. Vu Dinh Thuan, the former Chief of Project 112 will spend 5 years behind bars.
23 defendants pictured prior to their judgement
The court overruled most arguments set forth by the defendant’s lawyers. A request by Vu Dinh Thuan’s lawyer to reopen the investigation was denied. According to the court, the prosecution was absolutely correct with the cases they presented and it would be entirely unnecessary to carry out any investigation again.
Thuan has been accused of defrauding VND275 million ($14,666) but only admitted to receiving VND200 million ($10,825) from the Informatics Joint Stock Company ISA.
After considering the serious nature of Thuan's crime, the court came to the conclusion that he played the main role in signing all violated contracts. The Prosecution Agency recommended that he be sentenced 7-8 years in prison. However, after looking at his contribution during the time he ran the office, his old age and his ill health, the court decided to reduce his penalty to 5 years.
As Thuan listened to the court's verdict, he showed no signs of emotion and stood silently.
The final judgement
Luong Cao Son was responsible for collecting VND770 million ($41,677) and became the main player involved with the scandal. All defending arguments by his lawyer were also overruled. He was an instigator in the case and directly involved in “selling” tender and dividing the project into small contracts with an aim of defrauding the state budget. He will be faced with a heavier sentence than Thuan and go to the jail for 6 years.
Defendant Nguyen Thuy Ha, Manager of Informatics Joint Stock Company ISA was also sentenced to 6 years in jail because she corrupted VND950 million ($51,420) and was not cooperative during the investigation.
Defendant Nguyen Cat Ho, leader of the Training Unit of the Project 112 Management Board has been accused of causing serious damage due to irresponsibility instead of abusing power. He faces a suspended sentence of 3 years.
Defendant Vu Dinh Thuan calmly accepted the sentence
Nine defendants will be put in prison, 12 defendants will face suspended sentences and two are forced to perform community service for their punishment.