The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Court tried 24 people Wednesday in connection with illegal gambling, VietnamNet reported. Among those tried were 20 Vietnamese citizens and three Malaysian nationals, Lim Leong Seng, Goh Ming Huat and Chan Chee Sing.
The three Malaysians were tried in absentia. The other defendants were detained after police arrested over 100 people in a raid on three Ho Chi Minh City luxury hotels in May 2007.
The indictment issued by the Supreme People’s Procuracy, Vietnam’s highest prosecution office, accused six of those tried with conspiracy to lure Vietnamese citizens to casinos in the OV Club at the Equatorial Hotel, the De Palace at the Food Center Restaurant, and the Victoria at the Duxton Hotel. All three establishments are the property of Malaysian businessman Yap Kim San.
Prosecutors charged the remaining 18 defendants with making illegal wagers. According to Vietnamese law, gambling is illegal. However, hotels rated four-stars or above may offer table games to those holding foreign passports.
A fourth foreign national, American Timmy Hua Quan, was acquitted, but spent six months in jail awaiting trial.
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