Vietnam sentences 2 former top executives to death for graft

HANOI, Vietnam – A Vietnamese court has sentenced two former top executives of a large state-owned shipping company to death for corruption.

Duong Chi Dung, former chairman of the Vietnam National Shipping Lines, and the company's former general director Mai Van Phuc were convicted of embezzling $476,000 each and given the death sentence at the end of the four-day trial by the Hanoi People's Court on Monday.

Eight other defendants were given prison terms ranging from four to 22 years for graft and violation of state regulations.

Last month, two other executives were sentenced to death for graft.

The verdicts appear to be part of an effort by the Communist government to crack down on rampant corruption by state officials that is eroding its legitimacy.