Appeal trial for MobiFone-AVG case suspended due to COVID-19 concern
The appeal trial for the case involving MobiFone Telecommunications Corporation’s purchase of a 95 percent share in Audio Visual Global JSC (AVG), initially scheduled for April 13-16, will be suspended due to the COVID-19 concern, the High-Level People’s Court in Hanoi announced on April 2.
Hanoi (VNA) –The appeal trial for the case involving MobiFoneTelecommunications Corporation’s purchase of a 95 percent share in Audio VisualGlobal JSC (AVG), initially scheduled for April 13-16, will be suspended due tothe COVID-19 concern, the High-Level People’s Court in Hanoi announcedon April 2.
In the case, eleven of the14 defendants filed appeals, asking for clemency and reduced sentences. Later,former General Director of MobiFone Cao Duy Hai and former Director of the AMAXinvestment consultancy and valuation company Vo Van Manh withdrew theirrequests.
Three defendants did notappeal against their penalties, namely former Minister of Information andCommunications Truong Minh Tuan, former head of the ministry’s Department ofEnterprise Management Pham Dinh Trong, and former Chairman of the AVG Board of Directors Pham Nhat Vu.
During the first-instance trial on December 16-28, 2019, the Hanoi’s PeopleCourt handed down a jail term of eight years to Truong Minh Tuan for “taking bribes” andanother six years for “violating regulations on the management and use ofpublic investment capital, causing serious consequences”. The total sentencefor him is 14 years behind bars.
Trong received a five-year term for “violating regulations on the managementand use of public investment capital, causing serious consequences”. Meanwhile,Vu would spend three years in jail for “giving bribes”.
Among the nine defendantsgoing to court this time, former Minister of Information and CommunicationsNguyen Bac Son was given life imprisonment for “taking bribes” and 16 years inprison for “violating regulations on the management and use of publicinvestment capital, causing serious consequences”. The total sentence is lifeimprisonment.
Former Deputy General Directors of MobiFone Ho Tuan and Nguyen Manh Hungreceived a prison sentence of two and a half years each for “violating regulationson the management and use of public investment capital, causing seriousconsequences”, according to the first-instance trial’s verdict.
Nguyen Dang Nguyen, MobiFoneDeputy General Director, got two years in prison for “violating regulations onthe management and use of public investment capital, causing seriousconsequences.”
The Hanoi People’s Court found that in 2015, MobiFone, run by the Ministry ofInformation and Communications, bought 95 percent of AVG’s shares for 8.9trillion VND (375 million USD), much higher than their actual value. The dealcaused a loss of over 6.59 trillion VND (277 million USD) to the State./.
Former minister of information and communication Nguyen Bac Son has filed his appeal against the life imprisonment sentence for him in the first instance trial of the MobiFone’s purchase of 95 percent of shares of the Audio Visual Global JSC (AVG).
The Hanoi People’s Court said it has received appeals filed by 11 out of 14 defendants in the first instance trial of the MobiFone’s purchase of 95 percent of shares of the Audio Visual Global JSC (AVG).
The High-Level People’s Court in Hanoi will hold an appeal trial from April 13 to 16 for the case involving MobiFone Telecommunications Corporation’s purchase of a 95 percent share in Audio Visual Global JSC (AVG).
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
The defendants at a court in January (Photo: VNA) 
