Hanoi (VNA) – The People’s Court of Hanoi on June 24 opened the first-instance trial of Hoang Thi Thuy Lan, former Secretary of the Party Committee of Vinh Phuc province, along with 40 other defendants involved in the high-profile corruption case at Phuc Son Group JSC.

Among the 41 defendants, 16 are former leaders and officials of Vinh Phuc, including Hoang Thi Thuy Lan, Le Duy Thanh (former Chairman of the provicial People's Committee), Pham Hoang Anh (former Permanent Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee), and Nguyen Van Khuoc (former Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee).

Eight defendants are from Phuc Son Group, including its Chairman and General Director Nguyen Van Hau, who is also Chairman of the Thang Long investment, trade and real estate JSC.

Meanwhile, five are former officials of Quang Ngai province, including Le Viet Chu (former Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee), and Cao Khoa (former Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee).

Six are former leaders and officials of Phu Tho province, including Ngo Duc Vuong (former Secretary of the provincial Party Committee), and Nguyen Doan Khanh (former Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and Secretary of the Phu Tho Party Committee).

The rest are individuals affiliated with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and several auditing and consulting firms.

The Supreme People’s Procuracy indicted Nguyen Van Hau for three charges of violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences, violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences, and giving bribes.

At the same time, Hoang Thi Thuy Lan, Le Duy Thanh, Nguyen Van Khuoc, and Cao Khoa, face charges of receiving bribes.

Several defendants are accused of abusing their power or position while performing duties, while many others face charges related to violations in bidding procedures and accounting regulations.

A total of 23 defendants are currently held in custody, while 18 are out on bail. Nearly 70 lawyers have registered to represent 40 of the defendants. Only Dang Trung Hoanh, former Chief of Office of the Mang Thit district Party Committee in Vinh Long province, has declined legal representation.

To prepare for the trial, the court has summoned 63 individuals with related rights and obligations and six civil plaintiffs.

According to the indictment, during the execution of various projects and procurement packages across the provinces of Vinh Phuc, Quang Ngai, and Phu Tho, Hau either personally committed, directed subordinates, or worked with partner entities to carry out unlawful activities related bidding and accounting procedures.

The cumulative misconduct by Hau and his accomplices has led to extensive financial damage to the State, including over 504 billion VND (19.26 million USD) from accounting violations, 204 billion VND through unlawful land valuation adjustments, and 459 billion VND from bidding irregularities.

Before the trial commenced, the defendants actively and voluntarily returned or mobilised the return of over 220 billion VND in illicit gains to compensate and mitigate the consequences of the case. This amount is in addition to assets seized or frozen by investigative authorities.

Of the total, Nguyen Van Hau returned over 84 billion VND, Hoang Thi Thuy Lan returned nearly 48 billion VND, fully covering the alleged bribe amount of 25 billion VND and 1 million USD. Le Duy Thanh handed over 20 billion VND and 1.3 million USD, also fully covering the bribe amount he allegedly received.

The trial is expected to run for ten days./.