Vietnam ex-health minister jailed for 18 years over Covid test kits scam

Former Health Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Thanh Long, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison in the country for his involvement in corruption related to the procurement of testing kits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The verdict was issued by a Vietnamese court, following allegations of corruption in the purchase of testing kits from various companies during the pandemic. Thanh Long was accused of accepting a bribe of $2.5 million in exchange for approving the import of testing kits.

According to the state news agency in Vietnam, the prosecution provided evidence in court to support the allegations, leading to the conviction of Nguyen Thanh Long. During the announcement of the verdict on Friday, Nguyen Thanh Long was present in court. Before being taken into custody, he addressed the media and admitted guilt, stating, "I have committed a crime. I am remorseful."

Notably, Vietnam has been conducting a campaign against corruption within the government for the past year. The anti-corruption drive has targeted numerous former and current ministers and government officials. Among those implicated in the campaign is former Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

This case highlights the Vietnamese government's commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability, especially during critical times such as the global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.