Hanoi (VNA) – Police have launched legal proceedings against former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang and 11 other individuals for their alleged involvement in the case of taking bribery and violating bidding regulations that led to serious consequences at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Hoang Dan Company, and several related localities and entities.
The Ministry of Public Security said on January 9 that the Police Department for Investigation of Corruption, Smuggling and Economic Crimes (C03) found Thang, and Tran To Nghi, former Acting Director of the MARD's Construction Management Department, had taken bribes from Hoang Dan Company and its consortium of contractors. In return, they had directed MARD officials to collude and bypass bidding rules, helping Hoang Dan and its partners secure contracts for projects plagued by delays, multiple investment adjustments, and massive state budget losses, with initial estimates of damage exceeding 234 billion VND (9.22 million USD).
Following investigations, the Ministry of Public Security officially initiated legal action on the case on January 2, 2025, charging a total of 12 individuals with bribery and serious violation of bidding regulations.
Of the accused, three individuals face the charge of “taking bribes” under Article 354 of the Penal Code – Hoang Van Thang, former MARD Deputy Minister; Tran To Nghi, former Acting Director of the Construction Management Department; and Tran Van Lang, former Director of the Irrigation Management Board No.2.
Nine others are charged with “violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences” under Article 222 of the Penal Code.
After securing approval from the Supreme People's Procuracy, C03 has begun the necessary legal procedures while continuing to expand investigation into the case./.
