Six more arrested in repatriation flight bribery scandal

A former high-ranking immigration officer at the Ministry of Public Security has been arrested for allegedly taking bribes in organising repatriation flights during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hanoi (VNA) - A former high-rankingimmigration officer at the Ministry of Public Security has been arrested forallegedly taking bribes in organising repatriation flights during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tran Van Du, 61, former Deputy Director of the Immigration Department atthe Ministry of Public Security, was among six people arrested on July 25 asinvestigations into the repatriation flight scandal was expanded, said Lt. Gen.To An Xo, Chief of the Office and Spokesman of the Ministry of Public Security.

Nguyen Mai Anh, 46, an international relations specialist at the GovernmentOffice; Ngo Quang Tuan, 38, an international relations specialist at the Ministryof Transport; and Vu Sy Cuong, 36, a former immigration officer at the Ministryof Public Security, also face charges of taking bribes.

Bui Huy Hoang, 34, an official at the Ministry of Health, was arrested underfraud charges, and Nguyen Tien Manh, 52, a travel business leader, was arrestedfor giving bribes.

Vietnam had operated around 2,000 repatriation flights to bring homeresidents stranded overseas due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But many people had to buy very expensive tickets and complete tortuousprocedures to get a seat on repatriation flights.

Investigation found many officials and business leaders had taken advantageof the policy to earn money.

A series of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and tourism firmdirectors were arrested for their involvement in bribery while organising theseflights.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung was arrested in April fortaking bribes./.
VNA

See more

Vietnamese cyber police report that nearly 70 per cent of Telegram groups and channels in the country contain harmful content. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Telegram to be blocked in Vietnam

Vietnamese police said that the messaging app has not complied with the country's regulation to notify authorities before offering services, which went into effect on January 1 this year, in addition to harmful content distribution.

Doctors at Quang Ninh Provincial General Hospital during the organ transplant surgery. (Photo: VNA)

Organ donation saves lives in Quang Ninh

Working through May 22 night into the early hours of may 23 Friday, local doctors, with support from Viet Duc Friendship Hospital specialists, retrieved the heart, lungs, liver, two kidneys and two corneas from a 37-year-old male donor.

A new home for a poor Khmer household in Hung Hoi commune (Vinh Loi district) inaugurated. (Photo: VNA)

700 poor households in Bac Lieu province receive new homes

Deputy Minister of Public Security Lt. Gen. Nguyen Ngoc Lam said that in recent years, the ministry has spearheaded fundraising campaigns and collaborated with localities to build more than 28,600 homes, along with numerous schools and educational facilities, at a total cost of over 1.4 trillion VND (about 53.8 million USD).

Granma highlights the legacy of President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: VNA)

Cuban media honours Ho Chi Minh’s enduring legacy

Cuban media noted with reverence the historical symbolism of May 19, the birth date of President Ho Chi Minh and the death date of Cuban national hero José Martí, as a profound reminder of the deep connection between the two nations.