The National Assembly has approved an exemption in the death penalty for those found guilty of corruption if they are able to return three-quarters of the assets they have stolen, according to the newly amended penal code.
Former Vinalines chairman Duong Chi Dung,
who was convicted of buying an out-dated floating dock,leading to losses of VND700bn, was given a death sentence last year
Many NA deputies opposed the amendment, arguing that criminals would be more aggressive if they knew they still had a way of avoiding the death penalty, while other deputies emphasised the importance of recovering the stolen assets.
Many deputies demanded a clearer definition of the wording in the law which implied that if the criminal made amends then they would be eligible for avoiding the death penalty.
Other criminals including pregnant women, women with children under 36 months or people over 75 years old would remain exempt from capital punishment.
The National Assembly Standing Committee also proposed to remove the death penalty from seven crimes including robbery, destroying buildings that had implications for national security, acting against orders, surrendering to the enemy, waging wars, crimes against humanity and drug trafficking.
The amended code will come into effect from July 1 next year.
