Hanoi (VNA) - A former high-rankingimmigration officer at the Ministry of Public Security has been arrested forallegedly taking bribes in organising repatriation flights during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tran Van Du, 61, former Deputy Director of the Immigration Department atthe Ministry of Public Security, was among six people arrested on July 25 asinvestigations into the repatriation flight scandal was expanded, said Lt. Gen.To An Xo, Chief of the Office and Spokesman of the Ministry of Public Security.

Nguyen Mai Anh, 46, an international relations specialist at the GovernmentOffice; Ngo Quang Tuan, 38, an international relations specialist at the Ministryof Transport; and Vu Sy Cuong, 36, a former immigration officer at the Ministryof Public Security, also face charges of taking bribes.

Bui Huy Hoang, 34, an official at the Ministry of Health, was arrested underfraud charges, and Nguyen Tien Manh, 52, a travel business leader, was arrestedfor giving bribes.

Vietnam had operated around 2,000 repatriation flights to bring homeresidents stranded overseas due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But many people had to buy very expensive tickets and complete tortuousprocedures to get a seat on repatriation flights.

Investigation found many officials and business leaders had taken advantageof the policy to earn money.

A series of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and tourism firmdirectors were arrested for their involvement in bribery while organising theseflights.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung was arrested in April fortaking bribes./.