On 31/12, the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Court sentenced Vi to 3 years in prison for bribery under Article 364 of the Penal Code. Former serviceman Hoang Nam Lien, 59, received a sentence of 2 years and 6 months for brokering bribery. Lien and defendant Le Cao Tam, 53, were also sentenced to 6 months each for illegal gambling. In addition to their prison sentences, the three defendants were fined administratively from 10 to 50 million VND.

Vi 'Ngo' - far right - and the defendants in court on 31/12. *Photo: Lam Son*

According to the verdict, Vi 'Ngo' contacted Hoang Nam Lien due to a prior relationship, seeking to reduce the sentence for Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, also known as Hoa 'Chua'. Hoa was serving a life sentence for killing a fellow inmate while incarcerated.

On 4/2/2023, Vi transferred 150 million VND to the account of Hoang Kieu Khanh, Lien's daughter. Khanh then transferred the money to her husband Ho Duc Phu's account to withdraw cash and give it to Lien.

Lien testified that he brought 130 million VND in cash to Phan Quy Huong, Deputy Chief Procurator of Nghe An Provincial People's Procuracy, to request a sentence reduction for Hoa. On 12/5/2023, the Nghe An Provincial People's Court reduced Nguyen Ngoc Hoa's prison term by 20 months.

On 1/3/2024, Vi transferred an additional 200 million VND to Lien for another sentence reduction request. Lien testified that he gave 150 million VND in cash to Phan Quy Huong. On 17/5/2024, Nguyen Ngoc Hoa had his prison term further reduced by 18 months by the Nghe An Provincial People's Court.

According to Hoang Nam Lien's testimony, the total amount given to Phan Quy Huong was 280 million VND, of which Lien profited 70 million VND.

Separating acts related to judicial officials

The trial panel determined that during the investigation and at trial, Hoang Nam Lien testified that in 2023-2024, he went to Phan Quy Huong's house four times, giving a total of 280 million VND in cash to request a sentence reduction for Hoa 'Chua'. However, Huong denied this. According to the court, in addition to the acts of the defendants already prosecuted, the case also showed signs of bribery in judicial activities, involving judicial officials. This falls under the investigative authority of the Supreme People's Procuracy's Investigative Agency. Thanh Hoa Provincial Police separated the related acts and documents and transferred them to the Supreme People's Procuracy's Investigative Agency for further investigation and handling within its jurisdiction.

Regarding Hoang Kieu Khanh and Ho Duc Phu, who received transferred money from Vi and then withdrew it to give to Lien, the prosecuting agency determined that they did not know the purpose of the money and did not benefit from it, thus there was no basis for prosecution.

During the investigation of the case, the police also discovered that Hoang Nam Lien engaged in illegal gambling, specifically football betting, with Le Cao Tam on 10/7/2024. The gambling amount exceeded 5,8 million VND.

Court security was tightened. *Photo: Lam Son*

Vi 'Ngo' is a prominent gangster in Thanh Hoa, with a history of convictions for organizing illegal gambling, intentionally causing injury, disturbing public order, and other offenses. He is also a close associate of Tuan 'Than Den', a crime boss in Thanh Hoa. Tuan 'Than Den' is currently detained by the Police Department for Corruption, Economic, and Smuggling Crimes (C03, Ministry of Public Security) for investigation into violating regulations on resource exploitation and violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences.

In addition to the bribery case heard today, on 26/12, Vi was sentenced to 6 months in prison by the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Court for tax evasion. Vi 'Ngo' is also accused of violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences. This case is part of an investigation into the activities of Manh Tung Petro Liquefied Gas Joint Stock Company, located at 55 Le Hoan Street, Hac Thanh Ward, Thanh Hoa Province.

Lam Son