Former Deputy Prime Minister's assistant confessed to bribery of more than 4.2 billion VND in the 'rescue flight' case

The Security Investigation Agency - Ministry of Public Security has issued a conclusion on the investigation of the "Rescue Flight" case, proposing to prosecute 54 defendants. Among them, Mr. Nguyen Quang Linh - former assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister was arrested.prosecuteon the charge of "Receiving bribes".

Accordingly, from January 2021 to October 2021, as an assistant to the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Nguyen Quang Linh is responsible for advising, proposing, and submitting to the Deputy Prime Minister for approval of flights for agencies and organizations.

Knowing the role of Nguyen Quang Linh, some business representatives approached and asked Linh to consider resolving related procedures for flight licensing.

Defendant Nguyen Quang Linh.

Specifically, according to the investigation conclusion, in December 2020, Lu Hanh Viet Trade and Tourism Joint Stock Company sent a dossier to the Government Office requesting to organize combo flights to bring Vietnamese citizens from abroad back home, but was not granted permission.

In early 2021, defendant Nguyen Tien Manh - Deputy Director of Viet Travel Company discussed with defendant Hoang Anh Kiem (freelance worker) to contact the authorities to request a flight license.

At the end of January 2021, Kiem contacted and met Nguyen Quang Linh at Linh's office at the Government Office to ask for help, influence, and license for Viet Travel Company.

By mid-March 2021, Linh proactively contacted Kiem about allowing Lu Hanh Viet Company to organize 2 flights, at a cost of 10,000 USD/flight. At the end of March 2021, Kiem continued to meet Linh, asking Linh to help Lu Hanh Viet get approved for 16 more flights. According to the investigation conclusion, in the process of helping Lu Hanh Viet get approved for 18 combo flights, Linh received bribes from Kiem 4 times, a total of 180,000 USD (equivalent to more than 4.1 billion VND).

During the investigation, defendant Nguyen Quang Linh confessed to receiving money many times, at different locations. The first time was in mid-March 2021, Linh received 5,000 USD at a cafe on Dang Dung Street, Hanoi.

The second time was after March 19, 2021, Linh received 15,000 USD in Kiem's ​​car at a location near Hang Be market, Hanoi.

The third time was at the end of March 2021, Linh received 15,000 USD at Linh's house in Hang Bac, Hanoi.

The fourth time was in early April 2021, Linh received 145,000 USD in Kiem's ​​car when Kiem picked Linh up from the gate of the Government Office.

In addition, in early April 2021, defendant Nguyen Mai Anh, an expert from the International Relations Department of the Government Office, contacted and transferred VND 100 million from defendant Nguyen Thi Tuong Vy - Director of ATA Company and Investco Company after 10 flights were approved for defendant Linh at the office at the Government Office.

Thus, in total, defendant Nguyen Quang Linh was accused of receiving bribes of more than 4.2 billion VND. During the investigation, defendant Linh confessed that he had given part of this money to someone else.