Mr Tran Quoc Truong.

VietNamNet – Police have summoned Tran Quoc Truong, former Vice Chief Inspector of the Government, to answer accusations that he took bribes during inspection of oil and gas projects.

This is not the first time Mr Truong has been subpoenaed by police. In dealings with investigators when he was in office, he admitted to a serious lack of responsibility and loose overseeing of members of the inspection team during investigation of oil and gas projects.

With new evidence collected, investigators are now looking into Mr Truong’s abuse of power during active service.

Other defendants Nguyen Trong Nhung and Huynh Kim Quy, former respectively the Director and Chief Accountant of the PetroVietnam Design and Construction Company, were arrested because of their involvement in a financial scandal. Both allege they bribed Mr Truong US$3,000 and VND10mil, as well as “Tet gifts”, that included VND5mil and an expensive imported bottle of liquor. However, Mr Truong has denied receiving money from Nguyen Trong Nhung.

On July 13, the Prime Minister instructed police to investigate the allegations against Mr Truong and to draw conclusions about the responsibility of Mr Truong and Quach Le Thanh, former Chief Inspector.

On July 20, the Prime Minister suspended Mr Truong from office for three months.

(Source: VNE, TP)