On 6/1, following a day of questioning at the Hanoi People's Court, prosecutors presented their indictment, recommending 9-10 years in prison for bribery charges against Pham Van Ha, former Director of the Dak Lak Project Management Board for Investment, Construction of Transport and Rural Development Works, and Bui Van Tu, former Deputy Director of the Project Management Board.

Prosecutors also sought fines of 180-200 million VND for both defendants, to be confiscated by the state.

For bribery, Le Dinh Hai, Director of Saigon Construction and Trading Co., Ltd. (Saigon Company), faces a recommended sentence of 3-4 years in prison, while Hoang Dinh Chuong, Director of An Nguyen Co., Ltd., faces 2-3 years. Each is also subject to fines of 40-50 million VND, to be confiscated by the state.

The defendants at the trial. Photo: Linh Dan

Prosecutors stated that the defendants' actions endangered society, directly undermining the proper functioning and integrity of state agencies, and "degrading" public officials and civil servants.

According to prosecutors, the East Buon Ma Thuot Bypass Project was approved by the Ministry of Transport in 2020, with the Dak Lak Provincial Project Management Board designated as the investor. The project includes 15 bidding packages, with packages 3 and 4 alone valued at over 1,000 billion VND for construction.

During the initial investment approval phase, company directors approached provincial leaders, claiming "provincial Party Committee approval" for three companies to participate in the project, seeking a special "arrangement". Pham Ngoc Nghi, then Chairman of the Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee, supported this, emphasizing the need to ensure progress, quality, and legal compliance.

Once approved, these businesses met with Project Management Board leaders to negotiate securing contracts. Subsequently, Ha and Tu agreed to accept money from the companies to influence subordinates and facilitate their successful bids.

Ha agreed to receive 3% of the contract's advance payment value, while Tu initially agreed to accept 9 billion VND, with each company contributing 3 billion VND.

Prosecutors stated that Ha received a total of 5.1 billion VND. Hai provided 3.2 billion VND during two meetings at Ha's private residence in 1/2022, and Chuong delivered 1.9 billion VND in 8/2021.

Tu received a total of 6 billion VND. Chuong provided 3 billion VND on Nguyen Tat Thanh street in 12/2021, and Hai delivered 3 billion VND at Ticos Coffee on Nguyen Dinh Chieu street in 4/2022.

A representative of the Hanoi People's Procuracy at the trial. Photo: Linh Dan

Prosecutors asserted that all defendants are educated citizens with full knowledge of the law. Ha and Tu, holding high positions in state administration, and the two company directors, who should have adhered to legal principles, instead engaged in illegal activities.

During the investigation, the defendants made honest declarations and returned all illicit gains. Authorities seized over 16.5 billion VND to mitigate the consequences.

Separately, former Chairman of the Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee Pham Ngoc Nghi was found to have received 4.5 billion VND in gifts without prior agreement. He fully returned the amount and therefore faces no criminal charges, though he has been disciplined by the Party.

Pham Du - Thanh Lam