On the afternoon of May 22, the appeal hearing of the defendants in the case that occurred at Dong Nai General Hospital continued with the questioning session.
In court, Hoang Thi Thuy Nga (former Deputy General Director of AIC Company) said that in the case, the defendant was just a “salaryman”. When the case occurred, law enforcement agencies got involved, and the defendant Nga realized that her actions were bid collusion. The defendant Nga hoped that the court would reconsider the charges laid in the indictment.
The first instance verdict determined that Nga committed the crime of "Violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences", so he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
When asked about the process in which Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan (former Chairwoman of AIC) bribed officials of Dong Nai province, defendant Hoang Thi Thuy Nga affirmed that she did not participate in this process.
"The defendant and Ms. Nhan attended meetings with provincial leaders. However, the defendant only presented the work content and the company's capacity. After that, the defendant was invited out," defendant Nga stated.
Defendant Hoang Thi Thuy Nga.
Refuting the testimony of defendant Nga in court, the representative of the Procuracy said that, based on the details collected from Nga's computer and desk, it was shown that this defendant participated in direct contact with the investor, Dong Nai General Hospital, to "collude in bidding".
“Why did you stop working for AIC Company?”, the prosecutor asked. Defendant Nga replied that she “remembered her statement” but refused to repeat the reason for quitting her job.
The representative of the Procuracy then quoted Nga's statement verbatim at the investigation agency with the content: "I don't like working for this company anymore because I feel unsafe and there are irregularities in the company."
From the above testimony, the Procuracy believes that Nga clearly understands the nature of her work and the irregularities in the company. Therefore, Nga's request for the Appellate Court to reconsider the charge of "Violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences" is unfounded, because the defendant herself had close collusion with Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan, committed the crime and caused damage.
Former Director of Dong Nai Hospital Phan Huy Anh Vu at the appeal court.
Similarly, defendant Phan Huy Anh Vu (former Director of Dong Nai General Hospital) denied the accusation of directing subordinates to facilitate the bid for Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan's AIC Company. The former Director of Dong Nai Hospital only asked his subordinates "not to cause any difficulties" after being introduced to this enterprise by Provincial Party Secretary Tran Dinh Thanh.
Mr. Vu recalled the context at that time, "under great pressure" from the Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial Party Committee regarding the project's progress. Mr. Vu received a request to equip modern equipment, but not many companies could meet the modern requirements, so he chose AIC.
Regarding the amount of 14.8 billion VND, the former Director of Dong Nai Hospital did not admit that this was a bribe. The defendant stated that at the time of receiving it, he did not think it was a bribe and did not promise or agree to receive the money. Currently, his family has returned the entire amount and compensated for the consequences with an additional 500 million VND.
Mr. Vu stated that after the project was completed, former AIC Deputy General Director Tran Manh Ha (who is currently wanted) came to thank him. Mr. Vu said that 14.8 billion VND was a thank you gift from the company.
Mr. Vu's appeal seeks a reduction in his sentence and a review of his charges. At the first instance verdict, the Hanoi People's Court sentenced defendant Phan Huy Anh Vu to 9 years in prison for accepting bribes and 10 years in prison for violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences, with a total sentence of 19 years in prison for both crimes.
Also during the interrogation, the remaining 5 defendants who had valid appeals in the appeal hearing all confessed honestly; they expressed remorse and regret, hoping that the panel of judges would consider granting leniency under the law.
The court adjourned at 5:00 p.m. and will resume tomorrow, May 23.
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