Investigation into COVID-19 test kit scam extended
The Ministry of Public Security expects to complete the investigation into the COVID-19 test kit scam at Viet A Technologies JSC in the second quarter of this year, the ministry’s spokesperson Lieutenant General To An Xo said on May 5.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security Lieutenant General To An Xo. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Public Security expects to complete the investigation into the COVID-19 test kit scam at Viet A Technologies JSC in the second quarter of this year, the ministry’s spokesperson Lieutenant General To An Xo said on May 5.
Speaking at the Government’s regular press conference, the officer said the investigation agency initially planned to conclude the investigation into the case in the first quarter.
However, due to its complexity, the ministry proposed the Central Steering Committee for Corruption and Negative Phenomena Prevention and Control extend the deadline.
More than 100 individuals have been prosecuted for their roles in the case so far, and about 1.7 trillion VND (72.5 million USD) has been seized.
In December 2021, police arrested and initiated legal proceedings against Phan Quoc Viet, General Director of Viet A Technologies, for raising the price of RT-PCR COVID-19 test kits and giving bribery to health officials to sell their test kits.
Viet and key leaders of the company had admitted to colluding with leaders of hospitals and Centres for Disease Control (CDCs) to supply COVID-19 test kits to hospitals and CDCs at prices set by the company, which were much higher than the production price.
Xo also informed the press about developments of the case relating to Le Thanh Than, chairman of property giant Muong Thanh, who was prosecuted for deceiving customers.
A court for the case is scheduled to open in June./.
The National Assembly (NA) on June 7 approved resolutions on the dismissal of Nguyen Thanh Long from the positions as the deputy of the 15th legislature and the Health Minister over his wrongdoings related to a COVID-19 test kit scam.
The Investigation Police Agency under the Ministry of Public Security on June 7 decided to prosecute and arrest three former officials of Hanoi and ministries for their role in a COVID-19 test kit scam at Viet A Technologies JSC.
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.
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The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
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The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security Lieutenant General To An Xo. (Photo: VNA) 
