Former principal bursts into tears, hoping for a fair verdict
On September 11, the Hanoi People's Court continued the appellate trial of the case of abusing positions and powers while performing official duties related to Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh - former Principal of Ba Dinh Secondary School and former accountant Pham Thi Minh Nguyet.
Throughout this afternoon's trial, defendant Nguyen Thi Binh emphasized her point of view of not agreeing to annul the first-instance judgment for re-investigation and spent most of her time presenting arguments to prove the view that "she did not violate the law".
I just want the court to determine for me right and wrong, if I am guilty, I will accept it, even the highest possible sentence of social isolation" - Ms. Binh burst into tears at the trial.
Speaking her last words at the court session on the afternoon of September 11, Ms. Binh could not hold back her tears when mentioning the consequences that the long-standing case had caused to her family, and at the same time expressed her desire for the Trial Panel to issue a fair and equitable verdict, avoiding the consequences from continuing to affect her family.
Ms. Binh also requested the Trial Panel and representatives of the Procuracy not only to recognize the defendant through the pages of the file but also to fully consider the circumstances of a person standing before the court.
According to her, the profession of judge is "dangerous and great" because it holds a mission related to "the life and honor of a person's life". According to her, the value of a judge lies not only in the convictions but also in protecting those who may be wrongly accused, helping families to reunite and strengthen faith in justice.
Concluding the trial, the judge, presiding judge, said that the verdict is expected to be announced on the morning of September 14.
Collecting tutoring fees correctly but spending money incorrectly is still a violation
Previously, at the trial this morning, after the defense of the lawyers, the representative of the Hanoi People's Procuracy still maintained the view of requesting the annulment of the first-instance judgment for re-investigation.
According to the prosecutor, through the documents in the file, the first-instance level considered the expenditures, but only mentioned the excess expenditure, while the procuracy is calculating on a total of 30% of the money collected for the school.
According to the data we added, this expenditure exceeds the limit. According to regulations, 15% for facilities is only allowed to be spent on content serving tutoring and extra classes. Meanwhile, the defendant did not control the expenditure. Some items were used not in the correct list" - the prosecutor stated.
Previously, the Hanoi District 1 People's Court held a first-instance trial, sentencing defendant Nguyen Thi Binh to 3 years in prison, and defendant Pham Thi Minh Nguyet to suspended imprisonment for the above acts. However, the former Principal appealed for innocence and defendant Nguyet asked for further reduction.
At the trial this afternoon, defendant Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet said that previously, when Decision 22 was still in effect, she admitted her shortcomings. However, currently Decision 22 has been revoked and is determined to be illegal.
Therefore, the defendant hopes that the Panel of Judges will consider and determine that the defendant did not violate the law. "I only have one wish like that" - defendant Pham Thi Minh Nguyet said.
