The nine accomplices on trial are Mai Van Phuc, Tran Huu Chieu, Bui Thi Bich Loan, Mai Van Khang, Tran Hai Son, Le Van Duong, Huynh Huu Duc, Le Ngoc Trien Le Van Lung.—VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub)— The Ha Noi People's Court yesterday began the first-instance trial of Duong Chi Dung, former chairman of the Viet Nam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines), and his accomplices on embezzlement charges.

Other charges include intentionally violating State regulations on economic management.

The nine accomplices on trial are Mai Van Phuc, Vinalines general director; Tran Huu Chieu, Vinalines vice general director; Bui Thi Bich Loan, Vinalines' chief accountant; Mai Van Khang, member of Vinalines project management board; Tran Hai Son, director of Vinalines Ship Repair Co Ltd; Le Van Duong, official at Viet Nam Registry; and Huynh Huu Duc, Le Ngoc Trien and Le Van Lung, officials at Van Phong Customs Office, central coastal Khanh Hoa Province.

The 10 defendants are being represented by 13 lawyers at the trial.

Duong Chi Dung, former chairman of the Viet Nam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines).— VNA/VNS Photos Doan Tan

According to the indictment issued at the court, during 2007-08 Dung and his accomplices violated regulations on investment, bidding and customs procedures for imports and exports through the purchase and repair of Floating Dock 83M. The malpractice caused losses of VND366.9 billion (US$17.2 million) to the State budget.

Dung and three others, Mai Van Phuc, Tran Huu Chieu and Tran Hai Son, are accused of appropriating VND28 billion ($1.3 million).

The indictment said that, while knowing that the floating dock, built in 1965, was damaged and had not been used since 2006, and with its owner offering a negotiable price of under $5million, Dung still signed Decision 186/QD-HDQT on February 15, 2008 approving the purchasing of the dock at a price of $9 million from an intermediary, the Singapore-based AP company, which bought the dock from its real owner for only $2.3 million.

According to the Procuracy, Dung was the main culprit in the case, and also misappropriated VND10 billion ($470,000).

Dung was arrested on September 4, 2012 after fleeing on May 17 the same year, when an indictment and arrest warrant were issued for him. The trial is scheduled to last three days. — VNS