Việt Nam Register's deputy head detained on charge of power abuse

HÀ NỘI — HCM City Police on Tuesday formally charged and detained Deputy Director of Việt Nam Register Nguyễn Vũ Hải on the charge of abusing power and authority while discharging official duties. Officials have also searched the 46-year-old’s Hà Nội home and place of work to gather evidence related to the case. The HCM City Police Investigation Agency (PC01) also launched legal proceedings, and detained five other officials from the roadworthiness body related to the case – Bùi Quốc Hưng (Head of the Inland Waterway Department), Đậu Ngọc Bình (Deputy Head of the Inland Waterway Department), Phan Huy Liêm and Vũ Văn Sơn (inspectors of the Inland Waterway Department), and Trần Kỳ Hình (former director of the Việt Nam Register) – also for the same power abuse charge. These individuals have been investigated for misconduct related to the evaluation and issuance of capacity assessments for newly constructed, modified, repaired and restored inland waterway vehicles. In connection with these irregularities, on December 22, 2023, the HCM Police Investigation Agency had initiated proceedings against nine other individuals.