On July 15, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, former Vice Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and former Deputy Head of Steering Committee 09, was arrested for her involvement in a case that occurred at the Vietnam Rubber Industry Group, Dong Nai Rubber Company, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Rubber Company, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and related units. Ms. Hong was accused of “abusing her position and power while performing official duties”.
Charges and Related Defendants
The Investigation Police Agency (IPA) under the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam has issued a decision to prosecute Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong. Along with her, three other people were also prosecuted and applied preventive measures such as temporary detention, prohibition from leaving their place of residence, house and workplace searches. The defendants include:
Mr. Tran Ngoc Thuan, former member of the Board of Directors (BOD) and General Director of the Vietnam Rubber Group, was accused of “receiving bribes”.
Mr. Vo Sy Luc, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Rubber Group, and Mr. Tran Thoai, Member of the Board of Directors and Deputy General Director of Vietnam Rubber Group, were both accused of “violating regulations on management and use of State assets, causing loss and waste”.
Prosecution and Arrest of Other Former Leaders
On May 23, the Investigation Police Agency under the Ministry of Public Security prosecuted nine former leaders of the Vietnam Rubber Group in connection with the land plot at 39-39B Ben Van Don, Ward 12, District 4, Saigon. Among them, two people were arrested on charges of “violating regulations on management and use of State assets causing loss and waste” under Clause 3, Article 219 of the Vietnamese Penal Code:
Mr. Le Quang Thung, former General Director, Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Rubber Group.
Mr. Huynh Trung Truc, former Deputy General Director of Vietnam Rubber Group.
Notably, Mr. Le Quang Thung was sentenced to four years in prison by the Saigon Court in August 2019 for “intentionally violating State regulations on economic management causing serious consequences” with a sum of more than 43 billion VND in another case.
Current Situation and Next Steps
The case involving the Vietnam Rubber Industry Group has attracted great public attention due to the seriousness and wide scope of the violations. The prosecution and arrest of these former senior leaders reflects the government’s determination to handle violations related to the management and use of state assets.
In the coming time, the investigation agency will continue to clarify the violations and responsibilities of each individual involved. The developments of the case will continue to be closely monitored, not only by the authorities but also by the whole society, to ensure transparency and fairness in handling serious economic cases. (Dat Viet/KTT)