On December 15th, the Hanoi High-Level People’s Court commenced an appellate trial to review appeals for reduced sentences from multiple defendants involved in the case of Phuc Son Group Joint Stock Company (Phuc Son Group) and related entities and localities.
The trial, presided over by Judge Vo Hong Son, is scheduled to last three days.
Defendants at the appellate trial.
During the trial, several defendants, former leaders of Vinh Phuc, Quang Ngai, and Phu Tho provinces, directly presented their appeals, seeking reduced sentences, suspended sentences, or non-custodial rehabilitation.
Previously, Nguyen Van Hau, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Phuc Son Group, had filed an appeal after the first instance but later withdrew it.
As the first to testify, Hoang Thi Thuy Lan—former Secretary of the Vinh Phuc Provincial Party Committee—stated that during her over eight years as Secretary and multiple years as a Central Committee member, she dedicated all her time and effort to her work, alongside the leadership team, transforming Vinh Phuc from a struggling locality into a province with high growth rates and leading budget revenues nationwide.
The defendant noted that upon assuming her role in 2016, the local budget was low, but by 2023, the province’s economic growth rate reached the highest in the country.
Regarding the context of her criminal actions, Lan claimed that during her initial tenure, she was not deeply familiar with the projects. Upon seeing businesses investing locally to create jobs, she supported the initiative in principle but asserted she signed no documents and made no promises or commitments to any enterprise.
She also mentioned living with her elderly mother, her deceased father, her critically ill husband, and her visually impaired daughter, who is unable to work or care for herself. Lan herself suffers from poor health, including heart disease and hypertension. The former Secretary of the Vinh Phuc Provincial Party Committee pleaded with the court to consider reducing her sentence.
Regarding restitution, Lan stated that during the investigation and first instance trial, she and her family returned all the money received. At the appellate trial, she offered two land plots she purchased to further compensate for the case’s damages, adding that she encouraged other defendants to actively make restitution.
Also at the appellate trial, Le Duy Thanh—former Chairman of the Vinh Phuc Provincial People’s Committee—expressed remorse, acknowledged his wrongdoing, and sought to make additional restitution to reunite with his family.
He stated that he and his family had worked to rectify the case’s damages and participated in various charitable and volunteer activities.
According to his court statement, during the trial, Thanh received numerous petitions for leniency from educational institutions, healthcare facilities, businesses, and over 2,000 individuals.
During the investigation, he was noted for his candid confessions, active cooperation in clarifying the case, and voluntary return of 25.5 billion VND and 1.63 million USD, exceeding the amount confirmed as bribes.
At the appellate trial, Le Duy Thanh requested to submit an additional 200 million VND for restitution. His defense attorney stated that his family had prepared this amount. Thanh emphasized that this voluntary act demonstrated his remorse and appealed to the court for leniency in reducing his sentence.
In response, the trial’s presiding judge noted that during the first instance, the defendants had already fulfilled their financial obligations beyond what was required by the verdict. Thus, the appellate court would not address further restitution.
If defendants wished to contribute to society, they could do so through organizations like the Fatherland Front; monetary submissions would not be grounds for sentence reduction.
The appellate panel acknowledged Hoang Thi Thuy Lan’s offer of two land plots and Le Duy Thanh’s 200 million VND but stated no decision would be made at this time.
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