Vietnam - July 2023

On 28 July, the Hanoi People's Court handed down lengthy prison sentences to 54 individuals, including high-ranking officials, senior diplomats, businesspeople and a former deputy foreign minister on corruption and bribery charges linked to repatriation flights carried out during the Covid-19 pandemic. Those convicted were found guilty of "receiving, offering or being complicit in bribes, fraud and abusing positions of power." Four former officials at the ministries of foreign affairs, health and public security received life sentences. Political analysts consider the case to be one of the largest bribery cases in the country's history. The court's ruling marks a significant development within the country's extensive anti-corruption campaign, which has already resulted in the forced resignations of the state president and two deputy prime ministers in early 2023.

Sources: Reuters, Tuoi Tre News, British Broadcasting Corporation, Channel News Asia