Responding to the press at the Government press conference on the afternoon of October 4, Minister and Head of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung explained the handling of Petrotimes newspaper and the Trinh Xuan Thanh case.

Do not cover up for Trinh Xuan Thanh

In response to public concerns about whether or not there was any assistance in Trinh Xuan Thanh's escape, Minister and Head of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung affirmed that there was no cover-up, connivance, or assistance in Trinh Xuan Thanh's escape.

According to Mr. Mai Tien Dung, the Trinh Xuan Thanh case has received a lot of public attention. At the same time, the entire political system has a very high determination, the whole Party and the whole people are involved.

The direction of the authorities to investigate and clarify Trinh Xuan Thanh’s violations is being considered. The Prime Minister has directed the authorities to prosecute the case, prosecute the accused, and issue a national and international warrant for Trinh Xuan Thanh’s escape.

Mr. Mai Tien Dung affirmed that there was no cover-up, connivance, or assistance for Trinh Xuan Thanh to escape. Trinh Xuan Thanh's escape abroad was unintentional.

On the afternoon of October 4, the National Assembly Delegation of Da Nang City continued its program of meeting voters in Thanh Khe District (Da Nang). Mr. Dinh The Huynh, Politburo member, Standing member of the Secretariat, said that while being considered for expulsion from the Party, Trinh Xuan Thanh quietly escaped abroad and flew to Europe. The case had not yet been prosecuted, so there was no monitoring and investigation. Once prosecuted, a nationwide and international arrest warrant was issued to arrest Trinh Xuan Thanh and bring him to justice.

Continue to review reports that have incorrect principles and purposes.

Responding to the press about the suspension of Petrotimes newspaper and the confiscation of the press card of Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Nhu Phong, Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan said that Petrotimes newspaper had many violations, and publishing an interview with Trinh Xuan Thanh was just one of those reasons.

According to Minister Truong Minh Tuan, Bui Thanh Hieu is a person who has many anti-state activities and has been disciplined. Publishing part of the interview with this subject not only goes against the newspaper's principles but also contributes to Bui Thanh Hieu's anti-state activities.

"Posting an interview about Trinh Xuan Thanh has caused public misunderstanding, indirectly leading public opinion to misunderstand the case, causing information disruption, causing public confusion, and making the fight against corruption difficult," said Minister Tuan.

However, according to Minister Truong Minh Tuan, the publication of this article is only one of the reasons for the suspension and revocation of Nguyen Nhu Phong's press card. Another reason is that Petrotimes published many articles contrary to the newspaper's principles and purposes, and published many articles insulting other organizations and individuals.

For example, this newspaper published many articles reversing the Nam Cam case with many sarcastic headlines; a series of articles praising Duong Tu Trong in the Duong Chi Dung case; articles about murders and dismemberments in China... which were baseless, untrue, and affected many other organizations and individuals.

“A large number of people and honest journalists support this. The strict handling of cases like Petrotimes recently contributes to cleaning up the press. In the future, we will continue to review the principles and purposes of press agencies and will punish any violations,” said Mr. Tuan.

According to Motthegioi.vn