Cablegate: Nam Cam Receives Two Death Sentences, Gvn Officials

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 000496

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV

E. O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINR PGOV SOCI KJUS VM
SUBJECT: NAM CAM RECEIVES TWO DEATH SENTENCES, GVN OFFICIALS
RECEIVE 4-10 YEARS

REF: A) HCMC 00189 B) HCMC 00492

The high-profile trial of 155 individuals involved in
organized crime associated with Truong Van Cam (a.k.a. Nam
Cam) drew to a close on June 5 with a three-hour recitation of
their sentences. As rumored, the underworld kingpin Nam Cam
received two death sentences (by firing squad) for murder and
bribery, as well as a total of 42 years in jail for five other
crimes. The three high-ranking GVN officials who were
convicted all received prison sentences:

a) Pham Sy Chien, former deputy head of the Supreme People's
Prosecution Panel in Hanoi (6 years);

b) Bui Quoc Huy, Deputy Minister of Public Security in Hanoi
during July-August 2002 and former Director of Ho Chi Minh
City Police during 1996-2001 (4 years);

c) Tran Mai Hanh, former Director of the Voice of Vietnam
State Radio and General Secretary of the Vietnamese Journalist
Association (10 years).

These three former GVN officials are still at large and have
three months to appeal their sentences to the Supreme People's
Court in Hanoi before being arrested. Thirteen of the
defendants in jail were released for time served, and the
remainder of those currently in jail still have the right to
appeal. A total of six death sentences and five life
sentences were handed down. Two journalists were found guilty
of receiving bribes and were sentenced to 10-12 years. There
was a noticeable increased plainclothes security presence in
the HCMC People's Court courtyard, where a crowd of onlookers
had gathered to hear the sentencing. Contacts from yesterday
were more inhibited today about offering their opinions. Post
will report septel in greater detail.
YAMAUCHI

© Scoop Media