1.22 trillion VND relating to COVID-19 test kit case seized
The investigation agency under the Ministry of Public Security has seized, blocked and averted real estate transactions and accounts worth 1.22 trillion VND (53.86 million USD) relating to the case of COVID-19 test kit developer Viet A Technologies JSC, an officer said on January 28.
Lieutenant General To An Xo, Chief of the Office and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security, speaks at the press conference. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The investigation agency underthe Ministry of Public Security has seized, blocked and averted real estatetransactions and accounts worth 1.22 trillion VND (53.86 million USD) relatingto the case of COVID-19 test kit developer Viet A Technologies JSC, an officer said on January 28.
Lieutenant General To An Xo, Chief of the Office and Spokespersonof the Ministry of Public Security, said at the Government’s regular press conferencethat the agency is working hard to investigate the test kit overcharging casein accordance with guidelines of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption.
It has coordinated with other agencies in theinvestigation, he said, revealing that many individuals are linked with thecase.
On January 21, the agency launched legal proceedingsagainst Lam Van Tuan, Director of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) of northernBac Giang province and two others to clarify their roles in the case.
Earlier, legal proceedings began against Chairman and GeneralDirector of the Viet A Technologies JSC Phan Quoc Viet, and Director of the CDC of Hai Duongprovince Pham Duy Tuyen, for “violating regulations on bidding, causing seriousconsequences”.
Under further investigation, police found that Viet, VuDinh Hiep, who is Deputy Director of the Viet A company, and Tuyen offered and received a bribe of 27 billion VND.
The agency has also launched a probe into Nguyen MinhTuan, former director of the Ministry of Health (MoH)’s department for healthcare equipment and projects, Nguyen Nam Lien, director of the MoH’s departmentfor financial planning, and Trinh Thanh Hung, deputy director of thedepartment of science and technology for economic technical branches under theMinistry of Science and Technology for their alleged abuse of position andpower while performing duties.
It found signs of wrongdoings in the management,research and transfer of the scientific project on COVID-19 test kits at theMinistry of Science and Technology and in licensing the circulation of the testkits and the negotiation of COVID-19 test kit price with the Viet A Company at theMinistry of Health.
Legal actions have also been launched against relatedsuspects at the CDCs of Nghe An and Binh Duong provinces./.
The Government, in its report on the COVID-19 prevention and control submitted to the National Assembly (NA) on January 4, affirmed that the Viet A Technologies JSC had took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to seek illegal profit.
The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Procuracy on January 15 decided to arrest and launch criminal proceedings against Director of Nam Phong Company Pham Vu Phong for “violating bidding regulations, causing serious consequences” and “giving bribe” in accordance with Articles 222 and 364 of the Penal Code 2015.
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Lieutenant General To An Xo, Chief of the Office and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security, speaks at the press conference. (Photo: VNA) 
