Huaphan People’s Court sentence eight men and one woman for embezzlement of the state budget

Introduction: Huaphan People’s Court has sentenced eight men and one woman to lengthy terms of imprisonment for embezzlement of the state budget, amounting to almost 10 billion kip. The nine officials were all found guilty of misappropriating funds from the state budget in the education sector.

Story: The court sentenced former officials from the Huaphan Provincial Finance Department to lengthy terms of imprisonment. Mr Silone Oumany, aged 55, was sentenced to 18 years and one month in prison and fined more than 11 million kip, Mr Ni-nhom Bounphachan, aged 50, was sentenced to life in prison and fined more than 24 million kip, Ms Malisa Ounsanban, aged 29, was sentenced to eight years and one month in prison and fined more than four million kip and Mr Bounthone, aged 55, was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison and fined almost six million kip.

Also, former officials from the Huaphan Provincial Education and Sports Department were jailed for their financial misappropriation. Mr Khampan Phanvongsa, aged 54, was sentenced to life in prison and fined more than 26 million kip and Mr Khamkhao, aged 54, was sentenced to 16 years and one month in prison and fined more than nine million kip.

Meanwhile, Mr Vangthor, aged 47, was sentenced to 16 years and one month in prison and fined more than eight million kip and Mr Khamphat, aged 55, was sentenced to six years and one month in prison and fined more than two million kip.

Former Head of the Finance Department in Xamneua district Mr Somphone, aged 54, received a 12 years and one month prison term and was fined more than six million kip.

Specifically, they were siphoning off funds from the hourly wages of teachers and the budget support for voluntary teachers in Xamneua, Huameuang and other surrounding areas. These people formerly worked at the education and finance departments in Huaphan, at both the provincial and district level, before having been fired from their duties due to embezzlement charges.

Source: Lao National Television News in English
Broadcast on July 28, 2014