After a lengthy trial, this afternoon the People’s Court of Lao Cai Province sentenced former Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Nguyen Van Vinh, and former Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, Doan Van Huong, along with their accomplices, in relation to the illegal extraction of millions of tons of ore in the province.
Defendant Nguyen Van Vinh at the trial. Photo: D.Tr. |
Nguyen Van Vinh was sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison, while Doan Van Huong received a 4-year sentence. Two other defendants, former Vice Chairmen of the Provincial People’s Committee, Nguyen Thanh Duong and Le Ngoc Hung, were each sentenced to 3 years and 3 months in prison for “Abusing their positions and powers while performing their duties.”
The court also sentenced Nguyen Manh Thua, former director of Lilama Construction Company, to a total of 7 years and 6 months in prison (4 years for Money Laundering and 3 years and 6 months for Violating regulations on research, exploration, and exploitation of natural resources.)
According to the first-instance verdict, the defendants Nguyen Van Vinh, Doan Van Huong, and their co-defendants, who were former provincial leaders and heads of the Department of Industry and Trade and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Lao Cai Province, were aware that an area of 37,700 square meters, including more than 22,000 square meters overlapping with the 18th Quarry, had been approved for apatite ore mining by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and that the authority to grant mining licenses rested with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. However, they abused their positions and powers by drafting and signing documents that contravened legal regulations.
As a result, Nguyen Manh Thua, the former director of Lilama Construction Company, along with his accomplices, illegally extracted and sold more than 1.5 million tons of apatite ore, worth over VND 610 billion. Due to these violations, Lilama Company earned more than VND 484 billion, with a profit of over VND 171 billion, while the Vietnam Apatite Company also benefited to the tune of over VND 184 billion.
The first-instance court recognized that the former provincial leaders were aware of the violations regarding their authority. However, with the aim of promoting the province’s socio-economic development and supporting business growth, they signed investment certificates, provided written opinions, and made directions in relevant documents, contrary to the Law on Minerals and other related legal provisions.
The first-instance verdict acknowledged that the defendants’ actions had harmed the prestige of the State and infringed on the correctness of State management, resulting in particularly serious consequences. However, during sentencing, the court took into account the defendants’ personal backgrounds, achievements, and contributions during their tenure as provincial leaders, imposing sentences commensurate with the nature and extent of their offenses.
Nguyen Huong
