Former Secretary of the Quảng Ngãi Provincial Party Committee, Lê Viết Chữ. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Public Security has intensified its investigation into the Phúc Sơn Group JSC case, announcing the arrest of two more suspects on Thursday.

The two are Secretary of the Quảng Ngãi Provincial Party Committee Lê Viết Chữ, and Vice Secretary of the Vĩnh Phúc Provincial Party Committee Phạm Hoàng Anh, according to Major General Tô Ân Xô, the public ministry's spokesperson.

This development comes as part of an extensive probe into various serious offenses, including violations of accounting regulations, bribery, bidding irregularities, and taking advantage of influence over persons holding positions of power for personal gains.. 

The investigation spans multiple entities and regions, including Quảng Ngãi Province, Vĩnh Phúc Province, and others.

On Wednesday, the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security initiated legal proceedings against Lê Viết Chữ and Phạm Hoàng Anh, charging them with bribery under Article 354 of the Penal Code. 

It was revealed that Lê Viết Chữ allegedly received money from Nguyễn Văn Hậu, Chairman of Phúc Sơn Group, to ensure that the group won a lucrative bid for the road construction of the southern bank of Trà Khúc River project in Quảng Ngãi Province. 

Similarly, Phạm Hoàng Anh allegedly accepted money from Hậu to facilitate his company in executing a market construction project in Vĩnh Phúc Province.

Following approval from the Supreme People's Procuracy, the Criminal Investigation Agency executed the necessary legal procedures on Wednesday. 

Currently, investigators are consolidating evidence and expanding the scope of the inquiry to uncover further misconduct related to Phúc Sơn Group across different localities and entities. 

The ultimate goal is to recover misappropriated assets and ensure justice is served.

This latest development follows earlier legal action against 15 defendants associated with the Phúc Sơn Group case. Notable figures among them include former officials such as former Secretary of the Vĩnh Phúc Provincial Party Committee Hoàng Thị Thúy Lan; Chairman of the Vĩnh Phúc Provincial People's Committee Lê Duy Thành; Chairman of the Quảng Ngãi Provincial People's Committee Đặng Văn Minh; and former Chairman of the Quảng Ngãi Provincial People's Committee Cao Khoa. 

Additionally, suspect Đặng Trung Hoành, chief of the Mang Thít District Party Committee Office, Vĩnh Long Province, was prosecuted and detained for the crime of “abuse of position and power to influence others for personal gain".

At a recent press conference, the Ministry of Public Security's Economic Crime Investigation Bureau revealed details about the case involving Phúc Sơn Group Chairman Nguyễn Văn Hậu, highlighting its significance and impact across various regions. 

Hậu, also known as "Hậu Pháo", was prosecuted on February 26.

Investigations have uncovered instances of influence peddling, bribery, and abuse of power among top officials.

Phúc Sơn Group has invested in 21 projects, and the investigative agencies have clarified misconduct related to projects in Vĩnh Phúc and Quảng Ngãi provinces.

Investigation findings revealed that Hoàng Thị Thúy Lan and Lê Duy Thành received substantial bribes, totaling billions of đồng. Furthermore, Đặng Trung Hoành, the Chief of the Mang Thít District Party Committee Office in Vĩnh Long Province, received a sum of VNĐ64 billion (US$2.57 million) from the Phúc Sơn Group chairman. — VNS