The HCM City People’s Procuracy has recently appealed against the verdict of two years probation handed to a rhino horn trafficker, asking for a stiffer sentence.
Hoang Van Chung
About seven years ago, Hoang Van Chung, 29, from Thanh Hoa Province, was caught smuggling two rhino horns weighing a total of 3.2 kilos from South Africa. He was discovered transporting the horns at Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCM City on June 25, 2007. The horns' estimated value was USD60,800.
After he was caught Chung fled, evading law enforcement for over three years. Local authorities issued a warrant for his arrest, but they did not get him back into custody until July 2010 when he turned himself in to HCM City police.
In March 2012, the municipal People’s Court temporarily stopped his trial to allow treatment for his mental problems. Recently, the court resumed and Chung was sentenced to only two years probation, along with a fine of VND10 million (USD470.8).
The municipal People’s Court explained that they believed Chung’s statement that he bought the rhino horns for a fee of USD10,000 and that it was the first time he committed such an offence, and so showed him leniency.
However, the municipal People’s Procuracy claim that Chung’s actions were serious violations of state regulations of the trading in precious wildlife and breached the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, of which Vietnam is a member.
“It’s unacceptable that Chung would be sentenced to just two years probation. It does not reflect the seriousness of his crime and fails to create a deterrent,” the agency stated.
