Hanoi (VNA) – Trinh Xuan Thanh, former Chairmanof PetroVietnam Construction Joint Stock Corporation (PVC), and otherdefendants in the trial for several charges of wrongdoings defended themselvesduring the trial’s argument on January 13 and 14.

Dinh La Thang (former Chairman of the MemberCouncil of PetroVietnam) admitted that he had not fulfilled his responsibilityas the leader of the group, and that he wanted to receive leniency from theParty and State.

He said he had neglected the examination andsupervision of the implementation of resolutions and decisions issued by theMember Council and not fulfilled his responsibility, leading to slowrectification of violating agencies and persons. He asked the judging councilto make sound, legally-based and fair consideration of the former PetroVietnam staff,who he said had not been motivated by personal purposes, but the wish for therapid development of the group as in line with its development strategy.

Thang said he respected the procuracy’sindictment but still wanted the judging council to take into account the issuesthat hadn’t been considered during the investigation process or mentioned inthe indictment.

For his part, Trinh Xuan Thanh wanted theprocuracy to clarify how he had directed his inferiors to commitirregularities. He said after he knew about the wrong money transfer, he hadissued a written direction prohibiting the use of the money for wrong purposes.

Regarding the charge of asset embezzlement,Thanh said defendants’ statements were contradictory and unclear and lackevidence. He asked the judging council to re-consider the evidence andstatements leading to charging him with directing the embezzlement of PVC’smoney.

He continued to affirm that he had not embezzledassets and not directed the money withdrawal.

[Infographics: Trial of Trinh Xuan Thanh and accompl༒ices]

At the trial, some defendants also defencedothers with a hope that the judging council will reduce penalties against them.

Representatives of the civil plaintiffs, PetroVietnamand PVC, also called on the judging council to take into account bothcontributions and wrongdoings of the defendants when considering their penaland civil responsibilities so as to give them chances to correct mistakes.

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