Hanoi (VNA) – The People’s Committee of Hanoi opened a trial for the second ♈phase of the corruption case surrounding "repatriation flights" for Vietnamese citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 17 defendants brought to the court.

The defendants include Tran Tung, former Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Thai Nguyen province who faces two charges -receiving bribes and abusing position and power while performing duties. Meanwhile, Tran Thi Quyen, Director of Sen Vang Dat Viet Company; Le Thi Phuong, former Specialist with the Hai Duong province People’s Committee; Nguyen Van Van, former Deputy Director of Quang Nam province’s Department of Health; Le Ngoc Tuong, former Deputy Director of Quang Nam province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; and Nguyen Manh Truong, former specialist at the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam are accused of receiving bribes. At the same time, ten people are proposed for prosecution for giving bribes, including Vu Hong Quang, former Deputy Head of the Air Transport Department; Tran Thanh Nha from HCM City; Vu Hoang Dung from Hanoi; Nguyen Manh Cuong, Head of E-commerce at Vietjet Air; Dang Nhat Duc, Director of Top Agent Japan Co., Ltd.; Bui Dang Khoa, Director of World Travel Co., Ltd.; Truong Thi My Dung, Director of Anh Sao Thien Travel Services; Pham Quoc Thang, Director of PNR Co., Ltd.; Tran Thi Ngan, Chairwoman of Anna Travel Trading and Services; and Tran Minh Phung, Director of Gia Huy Travel Services and Construction. In addition, Nguyen Xuan Thong, a resident of Hanoi and a former police, is proposed for prosecution for allegedly concealing crimes. Among the 17 defendants, 13 are out on bail, while 4 are in pre-trial detention. Approximately 20 lawyers have registered to represent the defendants' legal rights and interests. In preparation for this trial, which is scheduled to last for eight days, the court has summoned 53 individuals who have relevant rights and obligations related to the trial. Notably, 7 defendants from the first phase have been summoned to the court as witnesses, and individuals with relevant rights and obligations who are currently serving sentences in prisons have also been called. The scandal emerged in early 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic left thousands of Vietnamese citizens stranded abroad. The Vietnamese Government organised repatriation flights, commonly referred to as rescue flights, to bring citizens home. However, as demand surged and logistical challenges grew, a working group led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated the repatriation process with multiple ministries involved. Several officials and businesses, taking advantage of their roles, allegedly colluded to approve flights in exchange for bribes. Some were accused of instructing others to cover up these criminal activities, obstructing the investigation. In July 2023, at the first-instance trial of the "repatriation flight" case, 54 defendants were convicted of bribery, bribery brokerage and fraud. Four individuals, including former Consular Department Director Nguyen Thi Huong Lan, received life sentences. The appellate trial in December 2023 saw reductions in sentencing for some defendants, but life sentences were upheld for others due to the severity of their actions./.