Prosecution procedures are now being carried out against Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Đỗ Thắng Hải. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Đỗ Thắng Hải, has been arrested for allegedly receiving bribes, announced the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Thursday. 

He is accused of being involved in the case of “violating regulations on use and management of State assets leading to loss and wastes; causing serious consequences due to lack of responsibility; giving and receiving bribes; abusing position and power for personal gains” at Xuyên Việt Oil Travel and Transport Trading Co Ltd and several related units. 

Previously, the MPS security investigation agency arrested and began the prosecution procedures against the company’s director Mai Thị Hồng Hạnh and deputy director Nguyễn Thị Như Phương for “violating regulations on use and management of State assets leading to loss and wastes” per Article 219 of the Penal Code.

Lê Đức Thọ, former Party Secretary of Bến Tre Province was also detained for “abusing position and power for personal gains” per the code’s Article 359; while HCM City finance department director Lê Duy Minh was arrested for “receiving bribes” per Article 354 for their involvement in the case.

Established in 2005, HCM City-based Xuyên Việt Oil Travel and Transport Trading Co Ltd was one of the 37 petrol trading agencies in the country.

The company’s petrol import and export licence, which was issued on January 19, 2021 and valid until November 2026, was revoked by the Ministry of Industry and Trade on August 11 this year. — VNS