Duong Tu Trong and his accomplice.— VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tan

HA NOI (Biz Hub)— The Ha Noi People's Court yesterday began the trial of an ex-police leader for helping Duong Chi Dung, former chairman of the State-owned shipping corporation Vinalines, flee Viet Nam in 2012.

Duong Tu Trong, Dung's younger brother and deputy director of the northern port city of Hai Phong's Police, was charged with "helping other persons to flee abroad". Six alleged accomplices, including four dismissed police officers, were also charged.

The prosecutors asked for 18-20 years in jail for Trong and 5-18 years for the others.

The accomplices are Vu Tien Son, ex-Deputy Head of the Social Crime Investigation Police Section, Nguyen Trong Anh, Son's former subordinate, Hoang Van Thang, a former officer of the Environmental Crime Investigation Police Section, Dong Xuan Phong, a former official at Hai Phong City Customs Department, Pham Minh Tuan, former Director of Bach Dang Enterprise in Hai Phong City, and Tran Van Dung, 45, a resident in Hai Phong's Hong Bang District.

Runaway timeline of the former chairman of Vinaline Duong Chi Dung, helped to flee the country by his younger brother Duong Tu Trong former deputy police chief of Hai Phong City. — VNS illustration

Duong Chi Dung, who was sentenced to death on charges of intentionally violating State regulations on economic management causing serious consequences and embezzlement, appeared in court as a witness.

According to the indictment, after receiving a tip that his brother Dung would be arrested and prosecuted, Trong arranged for Dung to escape to Cambodia through Moc Bai border gate in southern Tay Ninh province.

The People's Procuracy affirmed that Trong was the mastermind behind the plan for Dung to flee abroad, which directly compromised the State management of immigration, blocking the investigation of the Vinalines case and negatively affecting public trust in law enforcement agencies.

The hearing will continue today. — VNS