Hanoi (VNA) – Defendants in the first-instancetrial on several charges of wrongdoings at the PetroVietnam Construction JointStock Corporation (PVC) had the final say on January 17 morning before thejudging council deliberates the verdict.

Dinh La Thang, former Chairman of the MemberCouncil of PetroVietnam who is charged with “deliberately violating Stateregulations on economic management, causing severe consequences”, was the firstdefendant to have the final say.

He said during 35 years of working, he hadalways made efforts to fulfill assigned tasks. He had never thought that oneday, he would have to stand at the court and make the final say. He said thisis an “anguish and misfortune” for him and his family as well.

Thang said he still owes people many things,including transport works and social projects, and apologized to the Party, theState, people nationwide, workers of the oil and gas sector and the transportsector, and people of Ho Chi Minh City.

He voiced his hope that the judging council willprecisely assess each defendant’s actions and the nature of the case. He alsoexpressed his absolute loyalty to the Party and the State and his belief in thejudging council’s impartial, fair and humane settlement.

Former Chairman of PVC Trinh Xuan Thanh ischarged with both “deliberately violating State regulations on economicmanagement, causing severe consequences” and “misappropriating property”.

In his final say, he said he hopes that thejudging council will make careful and just consideration. He added after thecase is over, he wants to be allowed to go to Germany to care for his family.

[PVC trial: Life imprisonment proposed for Trinh Xuan T🅠hanh]

Meanwhile, Phung Dinh Thuc – former DirectorGeneral of PetroVietnam, charged with “deliberately violating State regulationson economic management, causing severe consequences”, said he had notintentionally committed wrongdoings, but there had still been shortcomings inhis examination and acceleration of work. He admitted that he had not fullyperformed his responsibility.

Facing the same charge, former Deputy DirectorGeneral of PetroVietnam Nguyen Quoc Khanh pleaded with the judging council forleniency.

Among the 22 defendants in the case, 12 werecharged with “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management,causing severe consequences”. Eight others were accused of “misappropriatingproperty”.

Trinh Xuan Thanh and Vu Duc Thuan (former PVCGeneral Director) were charged with both “deliberately violating Stateregulations on economic management, causing severe consequences” and“misappropriating property.”

They were charged with irregularities during theconstruction of key projects, including Thai Binh 2 thermal power plant.-VNA