By Sama Marwan,
As part of Vietnam’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, a court in Hanoi has begun the trial of 17 former government officials accused of accepting bribes related to repatriation flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. The charges include bribery, abuse of power, and failure to report crimes. Among the accused are former officials from the Ministry of Transport and local government representatives.
Part of a Broader Anti-Corruption Campaign
This trial is part of a wide-ranging anti-corruption initiative that has already led to the resignations of two presidents, three deputy prime ministers, and the detention of numerous corporate executives. Earlier this year, former President Nguyen Xuan Phuc resigned after taking “political responsibility” for “violations and shortcomings” related to corruption cases involving repatriation flights and a COVID-19 testing kit factory.
Previous Convictions
Last year, 54 officials and business executives were convicted in a similar case, with four former government officials receiving life sentences for their involvement in corruption linked to repatriation flights during the pandemic. At the height of the COVID-19 crisis, authorities organized over 1,000 flights to bring back more than 200,000 Vietnamese citizens.
Current Trial and Objectives
The ongoing trial is expected to last eight days, during which the government aims to strengthen its anti-corruption efforts and ensure transparency in governmental operations. This trial underscores Vietnam’s determination to hold accountable those responsible for exploiting the pandemic for personal gain.
