5 Thanh Hoa inspectors arrested on suspicion of extortion

On the afternoon of April 23, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huu Manh (spokesman of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police) confirmed that the security investigation agency had just issued a decision to temporarily detain five provincial inspectors to clarify their behavior of abusing their positions and powers while performing official duties and receiving money from the person being inspected.

Those detained include: Mr. Le Manh Ha (57 years old, Head of the inspection team), Ms. Nguyen Thi Cuc (55 years old, Deputy Head of the team) and three inspectors Nguyen Hung (43 years old), Mr. Duong Van Bang (52 years old), Mr. Nguyen Quy Dien (50 years old).

According to Lieutenant Colonel Manh, the case has been reported by Thanh Hoa Provincial Police to request direction from the Provincial Party Standing Committee and leaders of the Ministry of Public Security for further handling.

Earlier, at around 3 p.m. on April 18, authorities received a report that a member of the delegation had threatened and blackmailed an agency in Thieu Hoa district. This person was receiving an envelope containing a large sum of money when he was caught red-handed by the police.

At the scene, the investigation agency also collected many documents and A4 sheets of paper with detailed records of the amount of money and the names of the units that had paid "tips" to the inspection team. The investigation agency then continued to search the private homes and offices of the members of the inspection team, seizing many envelopes containing money believed to be related to this inspection in Thieu Hoa district.

The leader of Thanh Hoa Province Inspectorate said that the inspection team of five people mentioned above is conducting inspections on budget and investment, basic construction of many agencies and enterprises in Thieu Hoa district. Mr. Vu Dinh Que, Deputy Chief Inspector of Thanh Hoa Province, was assigned to supervise the activities of this working group.