Deputy trade minister arrested day after retirement

Vuong, 61, was arrested Tuesday on allegations of abuse of power, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Security To An Xo said Thursday.

Vuong was arrested just one day after his retirement.

He had held several positions, including deputy chairman of the Thai Nguyen Province People's Committee, before becoming Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade in August 2010.

He became the chairman of the management board and Party committee secretary of EVN in September 2012.

He left both positions at EVN in 2015 to return to his post as deputy trade minister.

During his time as deputy minister from 2015 to 2020, he was in charge of electricity, renewable energy, environment, sustainable development and IT. In November 2020, he became the chairman of the management board of Petrovietnam. He retired on Jan. 1.

Also related to the case at EVN and the trade ministry, the Ministry of Public Security launched investigations into six others for abuse of November last year.