This article was originally published by Radio Free Asia and is reprinted with permission.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has arrested Pham Thai Ha, deputy head of the country’s National Assembly office and assistant to the assembly chairman, state media reported Monday.
The ministry’s Police Investigation Agency said it had ordered Ha’s temporary detention for “abusing his position and power to influence others for personal gain,” in connection with the bidding for construction projects in Bac Giang province.
It said the order to prosecute him was issued on Sunday and approved by the Supreme People’s Procuracy the following day. On Monday, the Investigation Agency searched his home and workplace.
Ha was appointed deputy head of the National Assembly Office and assistant to National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in May 2022.
An agency spokesperson said his detention comes in connection with an expanded investigation into the Hanoi-based Thuan An Group Joint Stock Company, whose chairman Nguyen Duy Hung was arrested on April 15.
Hung is being investigated for bribery and violating bidding regulations.
Thuan An Joint Stock Company’s general director Tran Anh Quang has already been charged with bribery in connection with the case. Thuan An Group deputy general director Nguyen Khac Man is also being held and investigated for bribery and violating bidding regulations.
Nguyen Van Thao and Dam Van Cuong, members of the Management Board of Construction Investment Projects for Transport and Agricultural Works in Bac Giang province are also under investigation, both accused of violating bidding regulations and Thao also being investigated for taking bribes, state media said.
Thuan An Group is an infrastructure investment and construction company involved in road, bridge and agricultural works projects in Bac Giang province and elsewhere in Vietnam.
The arrests are the latest in Vietnam’s long-running “blazing furnace” crackdown on corruption which has netted hundreds of national and regional officials and prominent business leaders.
