The People’s Supreme Procuracy on March 11 prosecuted top leaders of PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP), the upstream arm of Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam or PVN). 
PVEP's former General Director Vu Van Khanh. Photo: PVEP
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The trio were accused of appropriating VND50 billion (US$2.2 million) in interests from PVEP’s deposits at Ocean Bank.
In another move, the police are investigating the investment in a loss-making project costing US$1.83 billion in Venezuela by PVEP.
The police are requesting PVN to provide all information and documents relating to the project on oil exploitation and upgrading of Junin 2 block off Venezuela coast which was launched in 2010.
PVEP's former deputy general director Vu Thi Ngoc Lan. Photo: PVEP
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In April 2013, PVN had to withdraw from the project after many financial experts warned that it would leave hefty losses.
PVN suffered a loss worth US$500 million paid to the Venezuela partner without earning a penny.
A number of PVN officials have been prosecuted for their wrongdoings over the past three years as the party chief-led anticorruption campaign seeks to regain trust of the people and restore the communist party's legitimacy.
