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Former Vietnamese lawmakers jailed for corruption

Luu Binh Nhuong and Le Thanh Van were found guilty of taking advantage of their positions for personal gain.

By RFA Staff 2025.01.13 -- A court in Vietnam has sentenced former lawmaker Luu Binh Nhuong to 13 years in prison for extortion, and abusing his position and power to influence others for personal gain in connection with property deals, state media reported.

Another former National Assembly delegate, Le Thanh Van, was jailed for seven years for abusing his position and power.

After a week-long hearing, the trial panel ruled on Monday that the two played a secondary role in a property extortion scam masterminded by Pham Minh Cuong and carried out by Vu Dang Phuong. Cuong and Phuong were sentenced to seven years and six years in prison respectively for extortion.

Another defendant, Nguyen Van Vuong, a former specialist of the legal department in the office of the president, was jailed for 14 years for abusing his position and power.

The trial centered around five land and property cases in the capital, Hanoi, and Thai Binh, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh and Hai Phong. The court heard that the two lawmakers used their power and influence to protect criminals who extorted property, intervened in property disputes receiving money and expensive gifts in return and helped business associates win valuable development projects.

Nhuong, 61, admitted he was wrong for receiving money and said he was "truly remorseful," the Tuoi Tre news site said. He said he had tried to change during more than a year in pre-trial detention to "wash away the wrongdoings."

Van, 60, said the case against him had shortcomings and he had always served the country and the people.

Blazing furnace

The convictions mark the latest of a series of cases against corrupt lawmakers and business leaders, known as the "blazing furnace." The corruption crackdown was spearheaded by the late Communist Party General Secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong, who died last year.

Thousands of party members have been disciplined during the decade-long campaign and several key Politburo members have lost their jobs.

The new party leader To Lam, former head of the public security ministry, has pledged to continue the campaign, and many analysts speculate that he is using it to remove political opponents ahead of next year's National Party Congress.

Nuong, a National Assembly member until 2021, was an outspoken critic of government officials including the then-Public Security Minister Lam.

Edited by Mike Firn.

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