Former Vinalines chairman, Duong Chi Dung, gave speech at court hopes of avoiding the recommended penalty of death.
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| Duong Chi Dung |
On the final day in appeals court, Dung continued insist on his innocence, saying that he could not admit to something he did not do, even if it cost him his life. "I ask the court to be lenient with my punishment and let me live until the day I'm proved to be innocent and all real offenders are caught," he said.
He then talked about his achievements at Vinalines. Dung said he and Vinalines' CEO Mai Van Phuc were not on good terms and never discussed anything not work-related and that it was only their mutual devotion to work that allowed them to tolerate the other. Dung said he only took up the floating dock project because he wanted to contribute to the sector. "It's a terrible thing that my devotion has becomes a fault, a guilt."
Dung also implored the court to give him leniency based on his family's contributions to the country. His father was a high-ranking soldier who joined the war in 1945. Dung's father now has heart problems, so no one has told him about the arrest of Dung and his younger brother who helped Dung flee. His mother also joined the war against the French and many of his relatives serve in the military and police forces.
Towards the end of his speech, Dung said he loved his country, his family and life but is not afraid of dying. "If I were guilty, I would willingly accept the death sentence because I'm a Buddhist pilgrim. My family has been selling everything they can in order to pay for the damages. Please let me live until the truth is exposed."
