On September 6, the People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City held an appellate trial for Tran Qui Thanh (71) and his daughter, Tran Uyen Phuong (43), for abuse of trust and appropriation of property.
During the trial, Mr. Tran Qui Thanh modified some aspects of his appeal. According to Ho Chi Minh City Law, Mr. Thanh requested that the appellate court comprehensively and objectively evaluate the evidence in the case to reconsider the conviction of abuse of trust and appropriation of property rendered by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court. Additionally, he asked the court to take into account mitigating circumstances to reduce his sentence.
Explaining his request, Mr. Thanh asserted that he did not appropriate the victims’ assets but merely retained their property. He characterized the transactions as sales with the victims, justifying his refusal to return the assets because the victims had not repaid their debts to him.
Regarding the assets, Mr. Thanh urged the court to reexamine all civil transactions with the victims, arguing that they still possess his lawful money and property. Consequently, he requested the victims to refund the full amount before he would release their documents.
Mr. Tran Qui Thanh and his daughter at the appellate trial. (Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Law)
Ms. Tran Uyen Phuong, Mr. Thanh’s daughter, appealed for a reduced sentence and requested a suspended sentence. At the trial, she acknowledged her actions and provided additional mitigating circumstances.
Several victims and individuals with rights and obligations related to the case also filed appeals.
According to the Tuoi Tre newspaper, the first-instance verdict stated that from 2019 to 2020, Tran Qui Thanh and his two daughters lent money to Dang Thi Kim Oanh, Nguyen Van Chung, Lam Son Hoang, and Nguyen Huy Dong, with an interest rate of 3% per month, through intermediaries.
The lending condition was that the owners of the assets or projects being mortgaged must sign a contract transferring the ownership of the assets or shares in the projects to conceal the nature of the loan.
However, the investigation revealed that when the borrowers fulfilled their obligations to repay the principal and interest as agreed upon, Tran Qui Thanh and his daughters made excuses to avoid returning the assets.
According to the prosecuting agencies, the total value of the appropriated assets by the accused was determined to be over VND 1,048 billion.
At the first trial, the People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City sentenced Tran Qui Thanh to eight years in prison, Tran Uyen Phuong to four years, and Tran Ngoc Bich to three years, with a suspended sentence.
Mr. Thanh and his daughters were also fined VND 100 million each, to be deposited into the state budget.
“Investors Choose Vietnam as Their ‘First Port of Call’ to the World.”
Vietnam is not just the gateway to ASEAN, but also a key market and the first stepping stone to expanding globally through its market linkage mechanism with 19 free trade agreements.
The Pink Slip Blues: Navigating the Struggles of Condo Living
Despite the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City instructing relevant authorities to expedite the issuance of pink books, the process remains sluggish, frustrating residents.
Unlocking Opportunities: ASEAN Businesses Thrive in Ho Chi Minh City
As Vietnam’s economic and financial powerhouse, Ho Chi Minh City is committed to fostering a conducive environment for investors and businesses to thrive. We are open for business and ready to collaborate for mutual growth and success.
