Labor Hero Tran Ngoc Suong at the Can Tho City People’s Court in August

Police in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho said they have been ordered to investigate allegations of embezzlement against a Labor Hero, local newswire VnExpress reported on Saturday.

In August, Suong, who was named Labor Hero by the government in 2000, was sentenced to eight years in prison for running a slush fund. The Co Do District’s People’s Court also ordered her to pay back VND4.3 billion (US$240,500) to the government.

Suong then lodged an appeal against the verdict, saying it was unlawful and unjust, but an appeals court this month upheld the decision.

The verdict has proved highly controversial with prominent personalities including a former vice president coming out in support of Suong’s innocence.

Other officials have expressed suspicions that the issue of land sought from the farm by authorities to establish industrial zones could have motivated the case against the Labor Hero who is credited with helping thousands of households out of poverty.

Even as authorities consider suspending the verdict against Suong on grounds of ill health, the 60-year-old woman has lodged another appeal with the People’s Supreme Court and People’s Supreme Procuracy.

The heads of both judicial agencies recently told the press that they would deal with Suong’s appeals properly and in accordance with laws.

In the meantime, several high-ranking officials have voiced concerns over the verdict and said Suong had set up the fund to help farmers and the farm’s operation; and that her contribution to one of the most successful farms in the country should be taken into consideration.

According to Tuoi Tre, 110 members from one of Vietnam’s most successful collective farms, meanwhile, wrote to the Party Unit in Can Tho City expressing their desire to serve jail time in place of Suong, who was honored at the International Federation of Business & Professional Women’s Women Inspire Awards in 2002.

Source: Thanh Nien