14TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIETNAM

Court on MobiFone-AVG case opens, former ministers may face death sentences

Linh Pham

Dec 16, 2019 / 04:15 PM

Two ministers Nguyen Bac Son and Truong Minh Tuan are charged with "taking bribes" with a maximum penalty of death sentence.

A court on the illegal acquisition of private pay TV firm Audio Visual Global JSC (AVG) by state-owned telecom giant MobiFone in 2016 opened today [December 16] in Hanoi, and two involving former ministers might face death sentences.

Nguyen Bac Son, former minister of Information and Communications, at the court on Dec 16. Photo: VNA

Nguyen Bac Son and Truong Minh Tuan, two former ministers of Information and Communications are accused of “accepting bribe” under Article 354 in the 2015 Penal Code which hands down the maximum penalty of a death sentence to such offense, the Tuoi Tre newspaper reported Monday.

Former Chairman of the Boards of Directors Le Nam Tra and former General Director of MobiFone Cao Duy Hai are accused of the same charge.

The case, according to the Government Inspectorate, happened in 2016 when the defendants violated public investment laws and caused an estimated loss of more than VND6.5 trillion (US$282 million) to the state when MobiFone, under the management of the Information and Communications, bought a 95% stake of AVG.

Under the indictment, Nguyen Bac Son, 66, received US$3 million from Chairman of AVG Chairman Pham Nhat Vu.

Former minister of Information and CommunicationsTruong Minh Tuan. Photo: VNA

Truong Minh Tuan, 59, who served as the information minister from April 2016 to July 2018 and as Son’s deputy before the period of time, signed a decision to approve the acquisition without the then Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s approval. Tuan received US$200,000 from Vu for directly signing the decision taken by the information ministry to approve of the acquisition.

Former Chairman of MobiFone Le Nam Tra took US$2.5 million and former General Director Cao Duy Hai received US$500,000 from Vu.

Pham Nhat Vu, former chairman of AVG, might face the maximum jail term of 20 years under Article 364 in the 2015 Penal Code for “giving bribe”.

Nine other defendants are charged with “violating regulations on managing and using public capital that causes serious consequences” with the maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars.

Son and Tuan were expelled from the Communist Party of Vietnam, the highest mode of punishment for misconduct caused by party members. The other three modes are reprimand, warning and demotion.
The trial, which will last until December 21, is among major cases in the corruption crackdown spearheaded by the Party’s General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong.

Mobifone to be prosecuted over AVG acquisition

15 Mar, 14:12

Mobifone`s acquisition of 95% of multimedia company Audio Visual Global (AVG) is a serious economic violation, according to the Government Inspectorate (GI)`s inspection results on the case released on March 14.

Mobifone and AVG cancel acquisition deal

13 Mar, 10:54

Mobifone`s billion-dollar acquisition of multimedia company Audio Visual Global (AVG) has been cancelled, announced the related parties on March 12.

Party Central Committee requests investigation into Mobifone's acquisition of AVG

09 Mar, 11:34

Mobifone`s billion-dollar acquisition of multimedia company Audio Visual Global (AVG) is considered "a serious case," assessed the Party Central Committee`s Secretariat.

ASEAN, China urged to speed up COC negotiations

The framework aims to guide conduct, prevent incidents and help manage tensions in the South China Sea - a vital maritime region central to regional security, trade and international shipping.

31 Jan, 07:31 PM

EC President tours Temple of Literature on official visit

The stop at the Temple of Literature reflected recognition of Vietnam’s deep-rooted culture of education and scholarship, underscoring the site’s enduring significance as a symbol of learning and academic excellence in Vietnamese history.

30 Jan, 09:09 AM

Vietnam becomes EU’s first ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partner

Trade, investment and climate cooperation are set to drive EU-Vietnam relations after the two sides agreed to elevate ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership following more than 35 years of cooperation.

30 Jan, 08:43 AM

US$102 million international financing pushes forest protection in Vietnam

Soon after Vietnam’s 14th Party Congress, international partners reaffirmed their commitment to the country’s green transition by launching a major climate finance initiative to protect forests, reduce emissions and support rural livelihoods in the Central Highlands and South Central Coast.

29 Jan, 09:35 PM

Vietnam pushes for sustainable peace in Gaza as Board of Peace founding member

As one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine, Vietnam welcomes all efforts aimed at bringing sustainable peace to the Gaza Strip for the benefit of the Palestinian people in respect for international laws and the United Nations Charter.

29 Jan, 09:06 PM

Germany-funded project supports Vietnam’s green finance push

With a four-year budget of EUR15 million (US$18 million), the project aims to build an enabling policy and financial framework for green investment while mobilizing public and private capital and strengthening the capacity of financial institutions and businesses to support Vietnam’s green transition.

29 Jan, 04:56 PM

IELTS admissions bonus fuels debate over fairness, access and academic merit

The expanded use of IELTS in university admissions has improved English learning and widened opportunities, but generous bonus points now risk turning the certificate into a scoring advantage rather than a fair measure of ability.

28 Jan, 10:30 AM

Vietnamese homeland spring festival returns to Fukuoka celebrating Tet and cultural identity

The Vietnamese community in Japan’s Kyushu region will gather for Homeland Spring 2026 at the end of January, as the Consulate General in Fukuoka stages its seventh Tet celebration.

27 Jan, 09:52 PM