This content 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 council chairman , position internet reported Monday.
The ministry’s Police Investigation Agency said it had ordered Ha’s temporary confinement for “abusing his position and power to affect people for personal gain, ” in connection with the selling for construction jobs in Bac Giang state.
It said the order to prosecute him was issued on Sunday and approved by the Supreme People’s Procuracy the following morning. On Monday, the Investigation Agency searched his home and workplace.
Ha was appointed deputy head of the National Assembly Office and associate to National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in May 2022.
An agency spokesperson said his incarceration comes in connection with an expanded research into the Hanoi-based Thuan An Group Joint Stock Company, whose president Nguyen Duy Hung was arrested on April 15.
Hung is being investigated for corruption and violating buying requirements.
Thuan An Joint Stock Company’s public producer Tran Anh Quang has already been charged with corruption in connection with the situation. Thuan An Group deputy public director Nguyen Khac Man is also being held and investigated for corruption and violating selling rules.
Nguyen Van Thao and Dam Van Cuong, users of the Management Board of Construction Investment Projects for Transport and Agricultural Works in Bac Giang state are also under investigation, both accused of violating selling restrictions and Thao even being investigated for taking money, state media said.
Thuan An Group is an infrastructure investment and development organization involved in road, gate and agricultural runs projects in Bac Giang state and elsewhere in Vietnam.
The arrests are the latest in Vietnam’s long-running “blazing oven ” crackdown on corruption which has netted lots of national and regional authorities and important business leaders.
