On December 14, the Security Investigation Agency under the Ministry of Public Security arrested Le Duc Tho, former member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Ben Tre Provincial Party Committee, to investigate the crime of “abusing powers to influence others for personal gain” according to Article 358 of the Criminal Code.
Most recently, on December 19, the Security Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security issued an arrest warrant for Le Duy Minh, Director of the Department of Finance, former Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Tax Department, with the allegation of “accepting bribes” according to Article 354 of the same code.
Tuoi Tre newspaper on December 19 reported “Arrested Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance Le Duy Minh on charges of accepting bribes.” The news said that Le Duy Minh, Director of the Department of Finance of Ho Chi Minh City, was detained by the Security Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security to investigate violations in the case of the large southern petroleum hub company – Xuyen Viet Oil.
According to Lieutenant General To An Xo, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Security, Minh was arrested while the Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security accepted and investigated the case of “violating regulations on management and use of state assets cause loss and waste; lack of responsibility causes serious consequences; give bribes; Bribery; abusing positions and powers to influence others for personal gain” occurred at Xuyen Viet Oil Transport and Tourism Trading and Tourism Limited Liability Company, and a number of related agencies and organizations.
It is known that in the announcement of the Security Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security, issued on December 14, the charge against Le Duc Tho, former Secretary of Ben Tre, is similar to Le Duy Minh, both related to Xuyen Viet Oil Transport and Tourism Company.
Regarding this case, previously, on December 16, Tuoi Tre newspaper said, “Xuyen Viet Oil topped the list of tax debts for the second phase of 2023, over VND1.5 trillion.”
According to Tuoi Tre newspaper, the Ho Chi Minh City Tax Department has just published a list of businesses that owe taxes for the second round of 2023, and “there are 198 businesses that owe taxes for the second round of 2023, with a total tax debt of over VND8 trillion.” Xuyen Viet Oil tops the list, owing more than VND1.53 trillion.”
According to knowledgeable people, in the last days of 2023, Minister of Public Security To Lam made unusual moves, repeatedly arresting and expanding investigations into high-ranking officials belonging to the “rival” political groups within the party.
To Lam’s purpose is to relieve the attack of Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission Phan Dinh Trac belongs to the Nghe An political faction and is one of the forces that has long supported General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
What does that have to do with the fact that, on March 19, the People’s Court of Phu Tho province opened a trial on the case of short sale of more than 1 million value-added invoices (VAT), with a total turnover of VND64 trillion? . Many general directors and directors of companies, among the 100 defendants, had to appear in court for their involvement in this line of buying and selling short VAT invoices.
According to knowledgeable people, the case of short selling of VAT invoices, as well as the case of Xuyen Viet Oil Transport and Tourism Company, are all related to National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue when Hue held the role of General State Auditor and Minister of Finance.
It is known that Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Duy Ngoc – Head of the Police Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security – a compatriot of Minister To Lam, who was very trusted, has “turned around” and moved to serve under Phan Dinh Trac, to fight against To Lam. On December 12, General Nguyen Duy Ngoc was recently promoted to the rank of Senior Lieutenant General.
That is why, Minister of Public Security To Lam can no longer control the Police Investigation Agency. To Lam only remains to use and operate the Security Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security, under the command of Senior Lieutenant General Luong Tam Quang – who is also a “Hung Yen compatriot” of Minister To Lam.
Recently, there was more bad news for To Lam. That is, on the afternoon of December 19, the Ministry of Public Security held a ceremony to announce and award the decision to transfer Major General Pham The Tung – Director of Nghe An Provincial Police – to accept the position of Director of the Department of Internal Political Security. Notably, Minister of Public Security To Lam avoided his presence and only authorized his disciple, Deputy Minister Luong Tam Quang, to hand over this decision.
As a reminder, recently, according to knowledgeable people, in response to To Lam’s abuse, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong confided to close people that he really wanted to put Phan Dinh Trac to replace To Lam as minister. Therefore, the recent personnel changes of the Ministry of Public Security, according to observers, are “lining the nest” moves by Mr. Phan Dinh Trac and the Nghe An faction’s leadership.
Two tigers cannot be kept in the same cage, and there is a high possibility that To Lam will struggle to stay on the list of “key” personnel of the 14th National Congress.
Thoibao.de (Translated)
