'The most painful and expensive lesson'

Late on the evening of January 9, the trial of 38 defendants in the case involving Viet A Technology Joint Stock Company (Viet A Company) and several ministries and localities ended its debate. The panel of judges allowed the defendants to have their final say before a lengthy deliberation and sentencing on the afternoon of January 12.

Former Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long

"It's so painful, there's no excuse"

Before the witness stand, former Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long sent his thanks to the agencies, units and individuals who submitted petitions to reduce his sentence.

Mr. Long expressed remorse, saying he was very sad and hurt by the mistakes he had made. "The defendant is sorry to his family, relatives, friends, colleagues and health workers," said the former minister.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long was proposed to be sentenced to 20 years in prison for receiving a bribe of 2.25 million USD from Viet A.

The defendant also affirmed that the time of the incident was a very difficult and arduous period in the history of the medical industry. He and his colleagues always tried to fight the epidemic and save people.

"There was never a moment when the defendant had a moment to rest. He always thought about maintaining the health system and saving patients' lives," Mr. Long said, and hoped the jury would show leniency to him and the defendants who were his subordinates.

Former Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh

The next person was former Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh. This defendant also expressed remorse and apologized to the General Secretary, the Party, the State and the people for the mistakes he had made.

As a former head of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Ngoc Anh asked the jury to apply lenient policies so that defendants in this ministry would receive the lowest sentences.

As for himself, the former minister felt "so painful, there is no justification". He said that wrongdoing must be punished, the price was 581 days of torment while in detention, and it will even haunt the defendant even after he returns to society. Therefore, the former minister also hopes to be considered for leniency.

"The most painful and expensive lesson"

As one of three former members of the Central Committee to stand trial, former Hai Duong Provincial Party Secretary Pham Xuan Thang said he was "very sad and regretful" at throwing away 34 years of hard work. He was deeply aware of his mistakes in not directing the Party and State's policies correctly.

Former Secretary of Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee Pham Xuan Thang

Believing that the violations had affected the reputation of the Party, the State and Hai Duong province, Mr. Thang took responsibility for himself, considering this the most painful and expensive lesson. He also hoped that the jury would show leniency to the defendants who were his former employees in Hai Duong.

In his final words, he sent a message to local leaders that "in any circumstances, even urgent ones, please comply with the law to avoid violations." He also requested that the legislative body make amendments to legal regulations, creating a legal corridor to respond when urgent situations arise, so that officials can fulfill their assigned tasks well.

QUICK VIEW 8:00 PM January 8: Proposed sentence for 38 defendants in Viet A case

Another defendant is Pham Cong Tac, former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology. Mr. Tac said he was fully aware of his mistakes and accepted full responsibility.

According to the defendant, the research on test kits is a very special topic, taking place in the context of the epidemic. At the time of implementation, there were many shortcomings in the management of intellectual property belonging to the State.

Mr. Tac said that if the project had been carried out at the present time, perhaps the violation would not have occurred, because the National Assembly had recently issued the revised Intellectual Property Law.

Defendant Phan Quoc Viet, General Director of Viet A Company

Viet A General Director: "Turn danger into opportunity"

At the witness stand, General Director of Viet A Company Phan Quoc Viet admitted his wrongdoings, saying that he was the one who ran all activities at the company, the other defendants were just salaried employees, had no choice but to work, and did not receive any benefits.

Therefore, defendant Viet accepts full responsibility to reduce the sentence for the company's employees; at the same time, he hopes that the jury will consider his own contributions and mistakes when sentencing.

In particular, Viet sent a message to the defendants who are employees of Viet A Company to "be at peace and at ease", saying that "no one wants to be in prison, but if they have to go to prison, turn the danger that no one wants into an opportunity that no one has, to prepare for the future so that they can still contribute to society".

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/cuu-bi-thu-tinh-uy-hai-duong-pham-xuan-thang-bai-hoc-dau-xot-dat-gia-nhat-18524010920552746.htm