On the afternoon of November 20, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court continued the first-instance trial of 15 defendants in the case that occurred at Xuyen Viet Oil Trading, Transport and Tourism Company Limited (Xuyen Viet Oil Company).
During the interrogation, former Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai admitted his wrongdoing in receiving gifts from Xuyen Viet Oil Company, calling it "the biggest mistake of his life".
Receive thank you gift from Mai Thi Hong Hanh
According to Mr. Hai's testimony, Xuyen Viet Oil Company was first granted a license to import and export gasoline by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in 2016, signed by Mr. Hai while he was still in office. He affirmed that at that time he did not know Mai Thi Hong Hanh, Director of Xuyen Viet Oil Company, or this company.
Former Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai.
In 2021 - during the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing was in place. The Ministry of Industry and Trade was also directed to ensure the supply of essential goods, including gasoline. Therefore, when receiving a call from Ms. Hanh, he asked her to contact the Domestic Market Department for procedural guidance, affirming that he did not ask for personal benefits or interfere against regulations.
On November 19, 2021, Mr. Hai signed and issued License No. 55/GPXD-BCT to Xuyen Viet Oil Company, valid until 2026. Afterwards, Ms. Hanh met him in Ho Chi Minh City to thank him. Mr. Hai stated: " I did not pay attention to the gift bag at that time, only after opening it did I realize there was money inside ." The amount was determined to be 50,000 USD.
“The biggest mistake of my life”
Mr. Hai admitted to accepting bribes, saying that he did not fully realize his mistake at first, but after the investigation, he realized it and was extremely remorseful. His family has recovered all the bribes and asked the panel of judges to consider reducing his sentence.
In addition to Mr. Hai, other former senior officials of the Domestic Market Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade also admitted to accepting bribes, such as: Nguyen Loc An, former Deputy Director of the Domestic Market Department; Hoang Anh Tuan, former Deputy Director of the Domestic Market Department; Tran Duy Dong, former Director of the Domestic Market Department.
At court, the defendants were all aware of their mistakes, expressed remorse and hoped the Trial Panel would consider leniency and reduce their sentences because they had remedied the related financial consequences.
According to the indictment, Ms. Mai Thi Hong Hanh bribed the company to renew its petroleum import-export business license when the company did not meet the required conditions. Ms. Hanh contacted the above defendants in turn to ask for support and to give them thank-you gifts.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/former-minister-do-thang-hai-nhan-qua-cua-xuyen-viet-oil-la-sai-lam-lon-nhat-doi-ar908552.html
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