Same bribery in Viet A case but different motives will be handled differently

On the evening of September 9, at a Government press conference, the press raised questions about the conclusion of the investigation into the Viet A case , which showed that some leaders, despite receiving large amounts of "thank you money", were not prosecuted for bribery.

Lieutenant General To An Xo, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Security, clearly explained that for the same act of receiving money, one defendant was prosecuted for this crime, another defendant was prosecuted for that crime because the methods, manners and circumstances of receiving money of the defendants in the Viet A case were very different.

Some defendants make requests, agreements, and conditions with the person giving them money, and they only process the work after receiving the money. Some defendants do not make any requests, conditions, or agreements in processing the work. They receive money and gifts after the work is completed, but are still prosecuted.

“Different behaviors and motives in receiving money will be handled differently,” the Ministry of Public Security Spokesperson emphasized. In the Viet A case, the Ministry of Public Security proposed to prosecute 38 defendants and 6 crimes.

"The investigation and proposal to prosecute the defendants for the above crimes were conducted by the Ministry of Public Security scientifically , carefully, objectively, comprehensively, thoroughly, and strictly in accordance with the provisions of the law," Lieutenant General To An Xo affirmed.

This has been thoroughly implemented in the spirit of "being both humane and compassionate but also very strict" as directed by the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption and negativity, with clear differentiation between each defendant and each act.

"The investigation conclusion was also comprehensively evaluated, clearly identifying which circumstances are aggravating, which are mitigating, and which are lenient on the principle of not allowing injustice, not letting criminals escape, no forbidden zones, no exceptions," the spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security emphasized.

According to the investigation conclusion, Chairman and General Director of Viet A Company Phan Quoc Viet paid "thank you" money to the following men:

- Nguyen Van Trinh (Government Office official): 200,000 USD

- Chu Ngoc Anh (former Minister of Science and Technology): 200,000 USD

- Pham Cong Tac (former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology): 50,000 USD

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