Six more officials arrested in Vinalines case
An investigation into corruption at Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) has expanded with the arrest of six more officials, who allegedly helped buy a faulty Russian dock that lost the state US$23 million.
Police from the Ministry of Public Security said they arrested Bui Thi Bich Loan, former head of Vinalines’ financial and accounting department; Mai Van Khang, Southern Sea-going Ship Repair Project Management Board member; Le Van Duong, a registrar at the Vietnam Registry; Huynh Huu Duc, deputy head of a customs sub-department in Khanh Hoa Province; Le Van Lung, a cargo inspector at the sub-department; and Le Ngoc Trien, a record officer at the sub-department.
All six were charged with “intentionally acting against the state’s regulations on economic management and causing serious consequences.”
Specifically, they are accused of falsifying documents to buy a floating dock from Russia that they knew was outdated and that had had its license suspended by a Russian registry.
The dock cost $5 million, plus another $9 million for transport and repair, and was part of a VND6.5 trillion ($311.5 million) ship building and repair project Vinalines undertook before getting government approval.
In early 2008, Duong and Khang allegedly flew to Russia with Tran Huu Chieu, who has been arrested already as deputy general director of Vinlines. They examined used floating dock PLAVDOC No. 83M owned by Russia’s Nakhodka Company.
Investigators say the three knew the old dock failed to meet standards but falsified paperwork so that Vinalines could buy it. They acted under the direction of Mai Van Phuc, former general director of Vinalines, who has been arrested, and Duong Chi Dung, the Vinalines chairman now deemed an international fugitive.
When the dock arrived in central Khanh Hoa Province in June 2008, the three customs officials now in custody reportedly waved it through. They knew the dock was not up-to-date, police say.
Similarly, Loan was arrested for allegedly approving the purchase.
Until the case became public last year, Vinalines had spent roughly VND480 billion ($23 million) on the dock, including bank interest and other expenses.
More than ten other officials have been arrested already in the Vinalines scandal.
In the most recent arrests, all officials will remain in custody for questioning for four months, except Khang, who has been released on bail.
Police from the Ministry of Public Security said they arrested Bui Thi Bich Loan, former head of Vinalines’ financial and accounting department; Mai Van Khang, Southern Sea-going Ship Repair Project Management Board member; Le Van Duong, a registrar at the Vietnam Registry; Huynh Huu Duc, deputy head of a customs sub-department in Khanh Hoa Province; Le Van Lung, a cargo inspector at the sub-department; and Le Ngoc Trien, a record officer at the sub-department.
All six were charged with “intentionally acting against the state’s regulations on economic management and causing serious consequences.”
Specifically, they are accused of falsifying documents to buy a floating dock from Russia that they knew was outdated and that had had its license suspended by a Russian registry.
The dock cost $5 million, plus another $9 million for transport and repair, and was part of a VND6.5 trillion ($311.5 million) ship building and repair project Vinalines undertook before getting government approval.
In early 2008, Duong and Khang allegedly flew to Russia with Tran Huu Chieu, who has been arrested already as deputy general director of Vinlines. They examined used floating dock PLAVDOC No. 83M owned by Russia’s Nakhodka Company.
Investigators say the three knew the old dock failed to meet standards but falsified paperwork so that Vinalines could buy it. They acted under the direction of Mai Van Phuc, former general director of Vinalines, who has been arrested, and Duong Chi Dung, the Vinalines chairman now deemed an international fugitive.
When the dock arrived in central Khanh Hoa Province in June 2008, the three customs officials now in custody reportedly waved it through. They knew the dock was not up-to-date, police say.
Similarly, Loan was arrested for allegedly approving the purchase.
Until the case became public last year, Vinalines had spent roughly VND480 billion ($23 million) on the dock, including bank interest and other expenses.
More than ten other officials have been arrested already in the Vinalines scandal.
In the most recent arrests, all officials will remain in custody for questioning for four months, except Khang, who has been released on bail.
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