Former legislators sentenced in major corruption case

Former National Assembly deputies Luu Binh Nhuong and Le Thanh Van, along with their associates, were sentenced to prison on Monday by the Thai Binh People's Court in connection with extorting property and abusing positions of power for personal gain. Nhuong received a 13-year prison sentence, which included three years for "extorting property" and 10 years for "abusing positions and power to influence others for personal gain."

Le Thanh Van was sentenced to seven years, while Nguyen Van Vuong, a former specialist from the Legal Department at the Presidential Office, received a 14-year prison term for "abusing positions and power to influence others for personal gain."

According to court documents, the defendants had coordinated several illegal activities, including extorting assets from the Sao Do Group's branch in Thai Binh Province, interfering in civil court proceedings in Hai Phong City, and manipulating project approvals in Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh provinces. These actions significantly disrupted the social order and negatively impacted the investment climate in those areas.

The case's focal point was the extortion of assets from Sao Do Company, which caused considerable financial damage. As part of the sentencing, the court ordered Nhuong to repay VND7.1 billion (approximately US$279,600) to the State, while Van was instructed to return VND60 million.