Shocking rescue flight trial: People who "fell off their horses" because of mone.y

On December 25, 2024, the first-instance trial of 17 defendants in the "rescue flight" case, phase 2, continued at the Hanoi People's Court. The defendants' confessions and tears of remorse moved those present at the trial.

The defendants could not hold back their emotions when expressing remorse for their crimes. Nguyen Manh Cuong, former Head of E-commerce of an airline, burst into tears when defending himself. Cuong admitted his mistakes and wished for a chance to make amends. "The defendant hopes to have a chance to return soon, to set an example for the next generation to strictly comply with the law," Cuong choked up. This former official was recommended to be sentenced to 2-3 years in prison for the crime of "giving bribes".

Vu Hong Quang, former Deputy Head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, could not hide his emotion. Quang said his family was shocked when he learned that he had to go to court. After more than two years in detention, he realized his mistakes and hoped the court would consider reducing his sentence so that he could have a chance to start his life over.

Former police officer Nguyen Xuan Thong, accuse.d of "Concealing a criminal", also felt remorseful when he realized the stain he had created. "This is a stain that will follow me throughout my life. It was only out of respect that I committed the crime," Thong choked up. Being recommended a 12-18 month prison sentence but given a suspended sentence, Thong hoped the court would be lenient so he would have a chance to correct his mistakes.

Some defendants explained their criminal behavior in the particularly difficult context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pham Quoc Thang, Director of PNR Company Limited, said his behavior stemmed from his lack of understanding of the law and the strong impact of the pandemic. "At that time, there were too many difficulties, while human life was necessary. Up to now, I am fully aware of my mistakes and hope the court will consider so that I can return to my family and continue to contribute to society," Thang shared. This defendant was also recommended a sentence of 2-3 years in prison for the crime of "Giving bribes".

Tran Tung, former Deputy Director of the Thai Nguyen Department of Foreign Affairs, who was recommended for a sentence of 12-14 years in prison, explained that while handling the quarantine work, he did not intend to accept bribes but only reduced the price of the service for citizens. "I bargained with the business to provide a full 14-day quarantine service at a reasonable price, at the same time hoping to make a profit at an appropriate level," said Mr. Tung.

Many defendants have cited difficult situations in their personal lives in hopes of having their sentences reduced. Tran Thi Quyen, Director of Sen Vang Dat Viet Company, who was recommended a sentence of 2-3 years in prison, shared about her difficult family situation when her husband recently passed away and she was raising a young chil.d alone. Quyen said she directly participated in quarantine work, sometimes having to come into contact with people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients, and hoped the court would consider her situation leniently.

The defendants’ lawyers also argued that, in the context of the pandemic, many people were not fully aware that their actions were illegal. Lawyer Trinh Van Tuyen, defending Pham Quoc Thang, emphasized that his client only played a secondary supporting role and that the crime was simple, not proactive or serious.

In the response, the representative of the Hanoi People's Procuracy rejected some of the defense's arguments. The Procuracy requested the confiscation of the bribe of VND4.4 billion that Tran Tung received and VND3.2 billion related to his crime. The Procuracy also requested that all aggravating and mitigating circumstances be carefully considered when deciding on the final sentence.

The trial continues, and whether the defendants' repentance can reduce their sentences depends on the Trial Council's assessment of mitigating circumstances, their personal backgrounds, and their sincerity. The "rescue flight" case, phase 2, has left valuable lessons about responsibility, ethics, and the law, and raised questions about how to make the public authority system operate more effectively and transparently.

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