Collecting over 4,000 billion VND in corrupt assets, criminally prosecuting 16 leaders

Handling 51 heads

On the morning of October 23, the Government's report presented to the National Assembly by Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long, authorized by the Prime Minister, affirmed that although the Covid-19 pandemic has developed complicatedly, causing difficulties and great impacts, anti-corruption work continues to be promoted, achieving many important results, in some cases higher than last year.

Overview of the 2nd session, 15th National Assembly.

In particular, there is a synchronous coordination between the Party's inspection, supervision, inspection, auditing, investigation, prosecution, trial, and execution of judgments on corruption and negative cases that is increasingly tight and effective. Linking anti-corruption with organizational and personnel work, strictly handling violations; affirming strong determination, "non-stop", "non-stop", "no forbidden zones, no exceptions".

The Prime Minister also directed relevant agencies to participate in coordination, research, and development of projects to submit to the Politburo and the Secretariat for promulgation and direction of promulgation, such as: Regulations on controlling power in the field of anti-corruption; Project "Research on models of specialized agencies and units against corruption"; Project "Research on criminal handling of illegal enrichment"; Project "Regulations on coordination between competent agencies in controlling assets and income".

Through inspection, rectification of management, recommendations for improvement of mechanisms, policies and laws in many fields; economic violations of 61,846 billion VND, 7,206 hectares of land were discovered; recommendations for recovery of 16,775 billion VND and 3,497 hectares of land were made; accounting was done, excluded from the settlement value due to non-compliance with regulations and recommendations for competent authorities to consider and handle 45,071 billion VND, 3,708 hectares of land... Transferred to the investigation agency for criminal handling of 245 cases, 182 subjects (an increase of 58% in the number of cases).

The State Audit has recommended handling of VND103,208 billion in finances; provided 182 records, audit reports and related documents to serve the investigation, inspection and supervision work.

The investigation agencies in the People's Public Security investigated 582 cases, with 1,262 defendants for corruption crimes. The People's Procuracy at all levels handled 402 cases/1,222 defendants. The People's Court at all levels handled 415 cases with 1,163 defendants; 254 cases with 631 defendants were tried at first instance for corruption crimes.

Regarding the enforcement of judgments related to the recovery of corrupt and economic assets, the Government said the total amount to be enforced is over 72 trillion VND; over 34 trillion VND is being enforced; over 4 trillion VND has been collected.

In addition to the achieved results, the Government also frankly pointed out many limitations and shortcomings, including the work of organizing, staffing and managing staff, civil servants and public employees to prevent and combat corruption, which is still limited; in some ministries, branches and localities, the appointment of leaders and managers has not been implemented in accordance with regulations, causing skepticism among the public.

Potential risks of "group interests" and "backyards"

Presenting the inspection report, Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Judicial Committee, Ms. Le Thi Nga emphasized: The work of detecting and handling corruption continues to be promoted in accordance with the direction of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption and Negative Action with the principle: "If there is a case, it must be verified and clarified; actively, urgently, and clearly handled to the extent possible...".

Through the work of inspection, supervision and enforcement of Party discipline, the Central Inspection Commission has discovered and clarified many violations and conducted disciplinary actions against many Party members who violated the law on anti-corruption and regulations on economic management, including many high-ranking State officials; at the same time, cases of serious violations with signs of crime have been transferred to the investigation agency for handling according to regulations.

The authorities have been active and proactive in performing their duties, enhancing coordination to speed up the investigation and handling of corruption cases; the quality of investigation and handling has been improved, many new cases have been prosecuted; investigations have been expanded, and many defendants who are high-ranking officials, including officials under the Central Government's management, and senior officers in the armed forces, etc.

"The results of detecting and handling corruption have a strong warning, deterrent, educational and preventive effect, and are supported by public opinion and the people," said Ms. Le Thi Nga.

The recruitment and appointment of civil servants in some agencies and units still have cases that are not guaranteed; some cases of "lightning-speed" appointments, lack of transparency..., leading to the revocation or the competent authority's recommendation to revoke the appointment decision.

Covering up for law violations, “collusion” between people with positions and powers in the State sector and businesses… still occurs in many areas; the situation of harassment and causing trouble for people and businesses still has no effective solution.

The Judiciary Committee also basically agreed with the Government's assessment of the corruption situation in 2021, but also emphasized that the crime situation continues to have complicated developments, some types of economic and corruption crimes tend to increase, with the potential risk of "group interests" and "backyards". Notably, a number of corruption crimes have arisen related to the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 pandemic./.