Since launching a series of perestroika-like reforms in the mid-1980s -- a process known as "doi moi" -- Vietnam has developed a reputation as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
source: http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/east/02/25/vietnam.trial/index.html
Vietnam gangland trial begins
Tuesday, February 25, 2003 Posted: 8:43 AM EST (1343 GMT)
The government is keen to show it is taking a tough line on corruption
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HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam -- More than 150 defendants, including several senior officials and an alleged gangland kingpin, have appeared in court at the start of Vietnam's largest ever corruption trial.
The showcase trial, being held in Ho Chi Minh City amid unusually wide publicity, is being portrayed as a demonstration of the government's determination to crack down on rampant corruption and black marketeering.
Among the 155 on trial is Truong Van Cam, popularly known as Nam Cam and reputedly one of the top mafia godfathers of Vietnam's underworld.
He is accused of murder, bribery, human smuggling and sheltering criminals.
According to prosecutors, Nam Cam ran a gambling and prostitution empire based out of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city, for over a decade.
Officials say he had close connections with the city police, many of them taking bribes of as little as $13 a week to ignore his activities.
In the end, officers from other provinces were used to arrest him.
Live broadcast
Nam Cam is accused of running a gambling and prostitution empire
Nam Cam and several other co-accused face the death penalty if convicted.
His appearance in court was broadcast live on national television, the first time most Vietnamese have seen his face.
Opening the huge trial, being held in two adjacent courtrooms, it took over an hour for the charges against all the defendants to be read out.
Others facing trial along with Nam Cam include 13 police officers, three prosecutors and three journalists.
Also accused are several high-ranking government officials including a vice minister of public security, the director of Vietnamese state radio and a vice national chief prosecutor.
All of the accused wore striped prison uniforms as they filed into the colonial-era courtrooms.
Since launching a series of perestroika-like reforms in the mid-1980s -- a process known as "doi moi" -- Vietnam has developed a reputation as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
The government hopes that being seen to take a tough line on corruption will reassure overseas investors about putting their money into Vietnam.
source: http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/east/02/25/vietnam.trial/index.html
Vietnam gangland trial begins
Tuesday, February 25, 2003 Posted: 8:43 AM EST (1343 GMT)
The government is keen to show it is taking a tough line on corruption
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam -- More than 150 defendants, including several senior officials and an alleged gangland kingpin, have appeared in court at the start of Vietnam's largest ever corruption trial.
The showcase trial, being held in Ho Chi Minh City amid unusually wide publicity, is being portrayed as a demonstration of the government's determination to crack down on rampant corruption and black marketeering.
Among the 155 on trial is Truong Van Cam, popularly known as Nam Cam and reputedly one of the top mafia godfathers of Vietnam's underworld.
He is accused of murder, bribery, human smuggling and sheltering criminals.
According to prosecutors, Nam Cam ran a gambling and prostitution empire based out of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city, for over a decade.
Officials say he had close connections with the city police, many of them taking bribes of as little as $13 a week to ignore his activities.
In the end, officers from other provinces were used to arrest him.
Live broadcast
Nam Cam is accused of running a gambling and prostitution empire
Nam Cam and several other co-accused face the death penalty if convicted.
His appearance in court was broadcast live on national television, the first time most Vietnamese have seen his face.
Opening the huge trial, being held in two adjacent courtrooms, it took over an hour for the charges against all the defendants to be read out.
Others facing trial along with Nam Cam include 13 police officers, three prosecutors and three journalists.
Also accused are several high-ranking government officials including a vice minister of public security, the director of Vietnamese state radio and a vice national chief prosecutor.
All of the accused wore striped prison uniforms as they filed into the colonial-era courtrooms.
Since launching a series of perestroika-like reforms in the mid-1980s -- a process known as "doi moi" -- Vietnam has developed a reputation as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.
The government hopes that being seen to take a tough line on corruption will reassure overseas investors about putting their money into Vietnam.