Corruption hearings for two Vietnamese ex-vice ministers
A court in Vietnam has begun hearings in a corruption case against eight people - including two former vice ministers of agriculture - accused of dereliction of duty.
State media has broadcast live footage of both former officials appearing in court with their defence lawyers.
The trial is the first in Vietnam in which two former vice ministers have appeared in court at the same time and on the same charge.
A former vice minister of public security was sentenced in June to four years' jail for dereliction of duty and failing to investigate a notorious crime gang.
If found guilty, the vice ministers could be jailed for up to 12 years.
ABC Radio Australia News - November 17, 2003.
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