The Ministry of Public Security's Security Investigation Agency has just completed the conclusion of the supplementary investigation into the case of Abusing position and power while performing official duties; Lack of responsibility causing serious consequences occurring at the Ministry of Industry and Trade and provinces and cities. Accordingly, it is proposed to prosecute Mr. Hoang Quoc Vuong (former Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade) for the crime of Abusing position and power while performing official duties.

Eight other defendants were proposed to be prosecuted for the same crime as Mr. Hoang Quoc Vuong. The Investigation Police Agency also proposed to prosecute three defendants for the crime of Lack of responsibility causing serious consequences.

According to the additional investigation conclusion, from the time the Nhon Hai Solar Farm project was put into commercial operation (July 6, 2020) to June 30, 2024, EVN paid for electricity at the price of 9.35 Uscents/kWh, with a total amount of more than 412 billion VND; the difference compared to the price of 7.09 Uscents/kWh is more than 99 billion VND.

458486561 1038801821058997 6823025310421785044 n 456.jpg
Mr. Hoang Quoc Vuong was proposed to be prosecuted for the crime of "Abusing position and power while performing official duties". Photo: Ministry of Public Security.

From the time the Trung Thuan Nam Solar Power Plant project was put into commercial operation (October 1, 2020) to September 30, 2023, EVN has paid for electricity at the price of 9.35 Uscents/kWh for the capacity of 227.88 MW with a total amount of more than VND 3,905 billion; the difference compared to the price of 9.09 Uscents/kWh is more than VND 944 billion.

Therefore, the defendants' criminal acts caused damage to EVN of more than VND 1,043 billion.

Regarding Mr. Tran Tuan Anh (former Minister of Industry and Trade for the period 2016-2021), the Investigation Agency affirmed: According to the assignment of tasks in the leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, defendant Hoang Quoc Vuong was assigned by the Minister of Industry and Trade to be in charge of the Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy, responsible for directing the development of Draft Decision No. 13/2020/QD-TTg.

Based on the dossier for drafting Decision No. 13/2020/QD-TTg, which has been adjusted by the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority, expanding the scope of beneficiaries of preferential electricity price policies under the direction of Mr. Hoang Quoc Vuong and the proposal of Mr. Hoang Quoc Vuong, Mr. Tran Tuan Anh, in his role as Minister of Industry and Trade, signed 6 submissions and reports to the Prime Minister, proposing that the Prime Minister issue Decision No. 13/2020/QD-TTg.

When signing the above submissions and reports, Mr. Tran Tuan Anh did not know that the defendant Hoang Quoc Vuong directed the adjustment and expansion of the scope of subjects contrary to Resolution No. 115/NQ-CP. The investigation results did not have documents or evidence showing that Mr. Tran Tuan Anh had a profit motive. Therefore, criminal proceedings against Mr. Tran Tuan Anh were not considered.

Regarding Mr. Trinh Dinh Dung (former Deputy Prime Minister), the Investigation Agency stated that: According to the assignment of the Prime Minister, Mr. Trinh Dinh Dung was responsible for drafting and signing Decision No. 13/2020/QD-TTg.

Because he trusted the results of the development, appraisal and examination of Draft Decision No. 13/2020/QD-TTg of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Justice and the Government Office, when signing and promulgating it, Mr. Trinh Dinh Dung did not know that the content of Clause 3, Article 5 was contrary to Resolution No. 115/NQ-CP.

The investigation results show that there is no document or evidence showing that Mr. Trinh Dinh Dung received money or other material benefits to create improper benefits for businesses. Therefore, no criminal proceedings will be considered against Mr. Trinh Dinh Dung.

According to the investigation documents, Mr. Mai Tien Dung (former Minister, Head of the Government Office) signed 2 Proposals to organize meetings and attended 1 meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung to discuss the drafting of Decision No. 13/2020/QD-TTg.

Mr. Mai Tien Dung did not directly direct the review of Draft Decision No. 13/2020/QD-TTg; he did not know that this draft decision was drafted contrary to Resolution 115. Furthermore, there is no document or evidence showing that Mr. Mai Tien Dung received money or other material benefits to violate regulations and create illegitimate benefits for businesses.

Therefore, there is no basis to consider the responsibility of Mr. Mai Tien Dung.

During the investigation, Mr. Hoang Quoc Vuong confessed to receiving money from Mr. Nguyen Tam Thinh (General Director and representative of Trung Nam Solar Power Company Limited) and Mr. Thinh's employees. Defendant Hoang Quoc Vuong returned the 1.5 billion VND he had received.

However, the investigation agency has not yet collected sufficient documents to prove the motive, purpose, and behavior of giving and receiving money. Meanwhile, the investigation period has expired, so the investigation agency will continue to investigate and clarify later.