More prosecutions in Vietnam bribery probe
Fourteen people have been prosecuted in Vietnam in connection with a corruption case involving the national food safety agency.
An office of the Ministry of Public Security is investigating bribes given and received at the Health Ministry’s Food Safety Department as well as at businesses in Hanoi and other cities across the country.
Authorities said measures were taken as part of a broader investigation, based on the documents and evidence collected.
The order includes the temporary detention of Do Huu Tuan, former deputy director of the Food Safety Department; Le Manh Hung, Head of the Food Management Department; and Vu Huy Long, specialist in the Department of Food Management.
Five others are prohibited from leaving their place of residence. Among them, Nguyen Thi Thu Quynh, from the Department of Food Poisoning Surveillance, Information and Communication; Nguyen Thi Yen, deputy office head of the Food Safety Department; Pham Hoang Giang and Tran Thi Hong Nhung, from the Department of Food Management; and Tran Thi Tuyet, from the Department of Standards and Testing.
Ongoing investigation
Earlier this year, authorities revealed that the former director of the Vietnam Food Administration was one of several people charged in a corruption investigation.
Nguyễn Thanh Phong was among the 18 accused. The case concerns the approval of food supplements and registrations of functional food products.
In August, several orders were issued, including one to search 15 locations, including places of residence and workplaces.
Coercive measures included the temporary detention of Tran Viet Nga, director of the Food Safety Department; Tran Thi Thu Lieu, deputy head of the Department of Food Poisoning Surveillance and Information and Communication; and Nguyen Thi Hai Ha, from the Department of Standards and Testing.
Phung Thi Thuy Ha, from the Department of Food Poisoning Surveillance and Information and Communication; Nguyen Thi Viet Ha, from the Department of Food Management; and Tran Thi Luu, from the Food Management Department, were not allowed to leave their homes on suspicion of receiving bribes.
The same sanction was imposed on Dau Thi Giang and Nguyen Thanh Uyen, accused of paying bribes. Quach Thi Tra My and Tran Thi Quynh Trang also face similar charges.
