Deputy Minister Vuong: Do not let large cases last long

Deputy Minsiter Le Quy Vuong makes speech at the conference

The conference aimed to review outstanding outcomes in prosecution, investigation and share experience in overcoming difficulties and obstacles to speed up investigations into serious and complicated cases of corruption, causing special social concern.

According to Deputy Minister Vuong, since 2016, the investigation agencies at all levels under the MPS have investigated 589 cases of corruption and 1,412 persons involved. Particularly, the number of new cases in 2017 increased 49.6% compared with the previous year while the Q1 of 2018 saw a rise of 33% in the number of cases and 18% in the number of arrestees against the same period of 2017.

Additionally, the functional forces speeded up the progress and improved the quality of investigation; particularly, investigations into the cases under the direction and monitoring of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-corruption were conducted exactly in accordance with the requirements for time and legal procedure.

It is worth mentioning the cases of Trinh Xuan Thanh and his accomplices - former leaders of Petrovietnam related to Ocean Bank, proceedings against high-level officials for organizing illegal gambling and abuse of power in performing official duties; the case of Tran Phuong Binh, former director of Dong A Commercial Joint Stock Bank, and the case under investigation of Phan Van Vu accused of many offenses and involving many senior officials.

The relevant forces also managed to recover a good amount of assets from economic and corruption cases. In 2017, the investigation agencies recovered some VND 21,500 billion, a rise of some 50% compared with 2016. For example, some 10,000 billion was retrieved from the Dai Tin Bank case, and VND 1,000 billion from the Dong A Bank case. 

An overview of the conference.

In the case of organizing gambling and running gambling-dens investigated and prosecuted by the Provincial Police of Phu Tho, the investigation agency had initially seized some VND 1,000 billion. Additionally, investigation agencies under the MPS also proposed the Maritime Bank to successfully cancel VND 7,300 billion loans, which would likely go bad .

Meanwhile, the police force promoted coordination with the procuracy and the court as well as the internal affairs sector, contributing to speeding up the investigation and trial of corruption economic cases, especially major cases.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minsiter Le Quy Vuong pointed out a number of experiences in investigating and handling corruption cases, highlighted the significance of political will and sense responsibility of the involved agencies and units, as well as the need to draw up good investigation plans and appropriate approaches and steps following the guidance of the Party Chief.