On 8/9, the Hanoi People's Court continued questioning defendants in a series of five bid-rigging cases involving Thuan An Group across five provinces.

Pham Thai Ha, former deputy director of the National Assembly Office and former assistant to the former National Assembly Chairman, is the only defendant charged with abusing his position for personal gain.

>> List of 29 defendants

Pham Thai Ha at the court. Photo: Danh Lam

Pham Thai Ha at the court. Photo: Danh Lam

The Supreme People's Procuracy determined that due to his close relationship with Nguyen Duy Hung, chairman of Thuan An Group, Ha "exploited his position" to influence Duong Van Thai, then Party Secretary of Bac Giang province. This facilitated Thuan An's participation and subsequent winning of the Dong Viet Bridge project, valued at over 1,100 billion VND.

Thai then influenced his subordinate, Nguyen Van Thao, director of the Bac Giang Project Management Board, to ensure Thuan An's involvement.

According to the procuracy, Ha's influence and Thai's compliance led to Thao and his subordinates colluding to illegally award the contract to Thuan An, causing nearly 97 billion VND in losses.

Ha received thank-you payments totaling 750 million VND from Thuan An.

In court, Ha explained he was assigned as one of four assistants to the former National Assembly Chairman in July 2021, responsible for the Bac Giang delegation. He also served as deputy director of the National Assembly Office from July 2022.

In his five-minute statement, he succinctly stated, "I have no objection to the indictment and plead guilty".

He expressed remorse and asked the court to consider the "unforeseeable risks" associated with his role as an assistant.

He claimed ignorance of the illegality of accepting the money, believing it was a personal gift from Hung, a friend. Upon realizing his error, he returned the money before being prosecuted.

Former Bac Giang vice chairman held 4 billion VND

Also prosecuted in the Dong Viet Bridge case is Le O Pich, former vice chairman of the Bac Giang People's Committee. Pich is charged with abusing his position and is accused of receiving a 4 billion VND "commission" from Thuan An.

As vice chairman from September 2020 to September 2024, Pich oversaw the provincial Project Management Board and signed approvals for the Dong Viet Bridge project.

The procuracy determined that after receiving instructions from Party Secretary Thai to assist Thuan An, Pich directed Thao to expedite procedures, facilitating the company's successful bid.

Le O Pich, former vice chairman of the Bac Giang People's Committee, is accused of receiving 4 billion VND. Photo: Pham Du

Le O Pich, former vice chairman of the Bac Giang People's Committee, is accused of receiving 4 billion VND. Photo: Pham Du

In court, Pich insisted he emphasized the importance of legal compliance to Thao. However, he admitted that at a Standing Committee meeting, Thai introduced Thuan An Group and requested consideration for the company. Given this introduction, Pich believed Thuan An's involvement would benefit the province if they met the bidding criteria.

He testified to only one encounter with Thuan An's chairman, a casual interaction at a dinner hosted by Hung at the former National Assembly Chairman's residence with the Bac Giang Standing Committee.

Despite this single "social encounter," Pich received one billion VND as a gift after the project's completion, near Tet 2022. He also received 3 billion VND from Thao, also from Thuan An.

"Did you understand what that money was for?", presiding judge Vu Quang Huy inquired. Pich said he thought it was a "commission" or a "thank you." Due to the numerous projects underway at the time, he "didn't know which project it was for."

The total 4 billion VND, whether "commission" or "payment," remained untouched until he returned it after the case emerged.

The trial involves 29 defendants, with one requesting absence. Photo: Danh Lam

The trial involves 29 defendants, with one requesting absence. Photo: Danh Lam

Unlike his superior, Thao admitted to receiving and spending 8 billion VND from Thuan An. He claimed the money was used for personal expenses, supporting a colleague's cancer treatment in Singapore, contributing to Covid-19 relief funds, and community development projects, but the judge stopped him.

Thao explained that he believed Thuan An was introduced by "higher-ups" and felt pressured by provincial leaders to provide the company with draft technical designs and cost estimates for review and input. Thuan An then requested changes to the bidding criteria to align with their capabilities.

After winning the 1,100 billion VND contract, Thuan An offered the Project Management Board 3% of the pre-tax payment. Thao accepted 11 billion VND, giving 3 billion to Pich, believing it was for "staff bonuses."

The trial continues tomorrow and is expected to last several days.

Thanh Lam