The Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam has officially charged 47 individuals regarding a significant case involving the National Power Transmission Company (EVNNPT). This case pertains to the 500kV Circuit 3 project, where numerous violations were identified during the planning and execution phases.

During a press conference on July 2, Major General Le Van Tan, Deputy Chief of the Investigation Agency, detailed the ongoing investigation. The charges against the 47 individuals stem from five categories of offenses, including serious breaches of bidding regulations, accounting violations, embezzlement, bribery, and acceptance of bribes.

The investigation uncovered various infractions by both the project owner and contractors, particularly in the areas of construction budget approval, bidding documentation, and project acceptance processes. These violations have raised significant concerns regarding the integrity of the project and the management practices of the involved entities.

In total, the case involves 13 organizations, including the National Power Transmission Company, the Northern Power Projects Management Board, the Central Power Projects Management Board, and several consulting firms and related businesses. The authorities have temporarily seized more than 45.8 billion VND and approximately 1.05 million USD, alongside freezing securities accounts of the accused, totaling around 1.756 trillion VND, to ensure the recovery of state assets.

Among those charged are key figures from the PC1 Group, including Chairman Trinh Van Tuan, CEO Vu Anh Duong, and several other executives, who are under investigation for severe accounting violations and embezzlement. Similar charges have been brought against leaders from several consulting firms involved in the project, indicating a widespread issue of corruption within the industry.

The Ministry of Public Security continues to pursue the investigation, aiming to address the misconduct and ensure accountability within the power sector.