A Vietnamese court on Friday gave lengthy sentences to high-ranking officials and businesspeople facing bribery and corruption charges over repatriation flights during the Covid-19 pandemic. The more than two-week trial in Hanoi was part of a major anti-graft drive that led to former president Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s sudden resignation earlier this year- an unprecedented move in a country where political changes are normally carefully orchestrated.
A total of 54 officials and businesspeople were found guilty of receiving, offering or being the go-between for bribes, carrying out fraud and abusing positions of power, judges said in a verdict Friday. Among the 54 people sentenced include 28 former officials and 26 other defendants. Specifically, 21 people were tried for the crime of Taking bribes; 24 people on charges of Giving bribes; 4 people guilty of Abuse of positions and powers while on official duty and 4 people Brokering bribes.
Notable: Former Secretary of Deputy Minister of Health Mr. Pham Trung Kien; Former Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Huong Lan; Former Deputy Head of the Advisory Department, Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security Mr. Vu Anh Tuan and Investigator Mr. Hoang Van Hung were sentenced to life in prison. Former Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung was sentenced to 16 years in prison and Former Assistant to Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Nguyen Quang Linh was sentenced to 7 years in prison.
