On 9/9, Nguyen Thuy, 48, the former deputy police chief of Pham Ngu Lao ward, District 1 (now Ben Thanh ward), was sentenced by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court to three years and six months for accepting bribes and eight years for bribery. The combined sentence is 11 years and six months.

Two of Thuy’s subordinates, Nguyen Thanh Luan, 36, and Nguyen Vo Danh, 32, were each sentenced to three years in prison for accepting bribes.

Defendant Nguyen Thuy at the court. Photo: Hai Duyen

Phan Thi Thuy, 35, the spa owner who accepted the bribe, was sentenced to 17 years for fraud and ordered to return the embezzled money.

Phan Duc Minh, 44, from Ho Chi Minh City, received a two-year and six-month sentence for bribery.

The court deemed the defendants’ actions extremely serious, undermining the proper functioning of the State. They knew that offering and accepting bribes to overlook violations was prohibited but still proceeded, warranting strict penalties.

On the evening of 8/11/2022, Luan and two civilian guards arrested Minh for possessing two packets of narcotics and brought him to the Pham Ngu Lao ward police station. Minh offered a bribe to be released. After being informed, Thuy told his subordinates to "help if you can".

Luan took Minh to Danh, the officer on duty. Minh agreed to pay 50 million VND for his release, but only had 10 million VND on hand. He then borrowed the remaining 40 million VND from an acquaintance. After receiving the full amount, Danh released Minh and gave Luan 15 million VND. Luan then gave Thuy 5 million VND.

Defendant Phan Thi Thuy at the court. Photo: Hai Duyen

On 13/2/2023, when the misconduct was discovered, District 1 police suspended Luan and Danh. Fearing prosecution, they asked Thuy for help. Thuy contacted Phan Thi Thuy, the spa owner, who claimed to have connections that could help them avoid charges.

Thuy demanded 30,000 USD (approximately 716 million VND). Thuy instructed Luan and Danh to each contribute 150 million VND, which he then delivered to Phan Thi Thuy at a cafe. Thuy made further payments, totaling 2.16 billion VND from the three officers. Luan contributed 1.3 billion VND, Danh 605 million VND, and Thuy over 216 million VND.

However, Phan Thi Thuy used all the money for personal expenses and debt repayment, not for bribing officials as promised.

At the court, Thuy retracted his previous plea of not guilty and confessed to accepting the 5 million VND from Minh and to giving money to Phan Thi Thuy to avoid prosecution for himself and his two subordinates.

"My understanding at the time was limited, leading to my wrongdoing," Thuy stated.

Phan Thi Thuy testified that she knew no one who could influence the case. "I was pregnant and in debt at the time, so I agreed when Thuy approached me. I used the entire 2.16 billion VND to pay off debts. I currently have no assets," she explained.

Luan and Danh admitted to giving Phan Thi Thuy the amounts stated in the indictment. They requested the court to order her to return the money, but because it was used for illegal purposes, it will be confiscated.

Hai Duyen