Bac Ninh Science and Technology Director Arrested for Bribery

Nguyen Van Dung, 47, Director of the Department of Science and Technology in Vietnam's northern Bac Ninh province, has been arrested on charges of receiving bribes, Vietnamese media reported. The arrest followed a review by the Central Inspection Committee on July 30 of a report on disciplinary violations by party members within the Bac Ninh provincial party organization. The Central Inspection Committee concluded that Mr. Dung had "violated party regulations and the law, causing very serious consequences." The committee has recommended that the competent authorities discipline Mr. Dung, suggesting the possibility of severe penalties, including expulsion from the party. According to reports, Mr. Dung, originally from the northern province of Bac Giang, previously served as the head of the Viet Yen district party committee from 2016 to 2019. After the district merged with Bac Ninh province, he was appointed Director of the provincial Department of Science and Technology. This arrest is seen as part of the Vietnamese Communist Party's ongoing anti-corruption campaign. The party views corruption among public officials as a significant factor undermining public trust, even as the country continues its economic growth. Regular crackdowns on corruption cases, including those involving high-ranking officials, are conducted. Mr. Dung's case indicates that the anti-corruption net is also reaching local-level officials. Information Source: BBC Vietnamese