Disgraced province leader arrested for abuse of power

But it did not provide any further explanation for the arrest of Le Duc Tho.

The move is the latest development in a case involving bribery and mismanagement of state resources at the Xuyen Viet Oil Travel and Transport Trading company and certain other entities.

Tho, 53, used to be vice general director, general director and chairman of giant state lender Vietinbank and office head of the State Bank of Vietnam before becoming the Ben Tre Party secretary in July 2021.

In October this year he had all his Party titles revoked for failure to disclose the source of his assets. This was deemed “systematic and lasting for many years,” causing distress among the public and affecting the Party’s, and his own, reputation.

Mai Thi Hong Hanh, director of Xuyen Viet Oil, and a subordinate, Nguyen Thi Nhu Phuong, have also been arrested for violations related to management of the company and use of public assets.

Established in 2005 and headquartered in HCMC, its markets for fuels were mainly Central Highlands provinces.

In August it had its license for exporting and importing oil canceled by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. An inspection had found several violations in oil distribution.