Hanoi, June 16 -- The High People's Court in Hanoi on June 16 handed down its verdict in the appeal of 11 defendants linked to the second phase of the "rescue flight" bribery scandal, reducing sentences for several former provincial officials in a case that has spotlighted corruption in the country's COVID-19 repatriation efforts.
The scandal revolves around allegations of bribery and abuse of power in arranging flights to repatriate Vietnamese citizens during the pandemic.
Among those receiving reduced sentences were Tran Tung, former Deputy Director of the Thai Nguyen provincial Department of Foreign Affairs, whose prison term was cut to 10 years from 12, with six years for accepting bribes and four for abusing power while performing of...