NAM CAM RECEIVES TWO DEATH SENTENCES, GVN OFFICIALS

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