Prosecuted more than 700 defendants for corruption

In just one year from early October 2015 to late September 2016, the Investigation Agency (Ministry of Public Security) handled 257 cases and prosecuted 710 defendants for corruption.

That is one of the contents that Government Inspector General Phan Van Sau will report on behalf of the Government, authorized by the Prime Minister, at the 2nd session of the 14th National Assembly.

One of the notable contents of the anti-corruption work report is that from October 2015 to September 2016, the police investigation agencies at all levels have investigated 257 cases, 710 defendants for corruption crimes (142 new cases, 335 defendants, damage of over 241 billion VND, 838m2 of land, 92 billion 460 million VND recovered and 7 real estates seized). Investigations have been concluded in 111 cases, 418 defendants and 135 cases, 273 defendants are currently under investigation.

The case of Duong Chi Dung, former chairman of the Board of Directors of Vinalines, embezzlement of assets has shocked public opinion.

Meanwhile, the People's Courts at all levels have accepted 361 cases with 931 defendants at first instance and tried 194 cases with 441 defendants for corruption crimes, of which the rate of serious, very serious and especially serious crimes accounted for 47.7% (an increase of 5.3% compared to the same period in 2015). Notably, 5 defendants were sentenced to death or life imprisonment for corruption.

Fighting corruption still has many limitations

This report clearly shows the situation of corruption, especially major and complicated cases occurring at many levels, in many sectors and fields with a very common level, very serious nature and has not been pushed back due to weaknesses and limitations. Accordingly, the mechanism of "asking and giving" has not been eliminated, which is a condition that fosters and gives rise to corruption, especially in the fields of land management, construction investment, budget management, capital, state assets, organization - cadres, credit, banking...

The case of Giang Kim Dat - former acting head of the Business Department of Vinashin Ocean Shipping One Member Co., Ltd. (Vinashinlines) embezzled 18.6 million USD.

The situation of officials and civil servants being indifferent and afraid to fight against negative manifestations within the organization is still quite common. The number of leaders who are held accountable for corruption is still small compared to the number of corruption cases discovered. The situation of "sub-procedures", violations of settlement deadlines, and shirking of responsibility in resolving the work of people and businesses.

The lack of timely judicial appraisal in the fields of finance, banking, basic construction investment, science and technology, etc. Corrupt behavior is increasingly sophisticated and complicated, making it difficult to detect and handle corruption. Although the recovery of corrupt assets increases every year, it is still much lower than the amount of assets misappropriated. Corrupt assets in some cases are dispersed, uncontrolled and unrecoverable.

According to PLO