Hai Duong province's former Party Secretary detained in COVID-19 test kit scam
The Investigation Police Agency under the Ministry of Public Security on September 17 issued a detainment and prosecution decision against former Secretary of the Party Committee of Hai Duong province Pham Xuan Thang and former director of the provincial health department Pham Manh Cuong.
Pham Xuan Thang (left) and Pham Manh Cuong (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Investigation Police Agency under the Ministryof Public Security on September 17 issued a detainment and prosecution decisionagainst former Secretary of the Party Committee of Hai Duong province Pham XuanThang and former director of the provincial health department Pham Manh Cuong.
Both are under investigation for abuse of power in connection with the COVID-19test kit purchases and bidding scandal at Viet A Technologies JSC.
Lieutenant General To An Xo, Chief of the Office and spokesperson of theMinistry of Public Security, said the Supreme People's Procuracy has approvedthe above decisions and orders.
Thang and Cuong committed acts of "abusing their position and authority,to direct the violations of bidding law to help Viet A Technologies JSC gainmassive illegal profits, causing particularly serious losses to Stateassets," according to the spokesperson.
The Investigation Police Agency is continuing to expand the investigation;reviewing and freezing the assets of the accused to ensure thorough recovery ofState finances.
During a meeting of the Politburo and the Party Central Committee’s Secretariatchaired by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on September 16, Thang wassuspended from Party activities and positions while he awaits furtherdisciplinary actions from the Party Central Committee. Cuong was expelled fromthe Party./.
T&T Group and Saigon - Ha Noi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB) have presented 150,000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to Hai Duong to aid the northern province’s pandemic prevention and control.
Several suspects in the overcharging for COVID-19 test kits at the Viet A Technologies JSC are being investigated for “offering bribe”, “receiving bribe”, and “abusing position and power while performing duties”.
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.
The police have recovered, distrained and frozen properties of people involving in the COVID-19 test kit overcharging at Viet A Technologies JSC, Lt. Gen. To An Xo, Chief of Office and spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security told reporters during a routine Government press conference on March 3.
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Pham Xuan Thang (left) and Pham Manh Cuong (Photo: VNA) 
