Hanoi (VNA) – The Hanoi-based High-level People’s Court on June 10 opened atrial to look into appeals of Phan Van Anh Vu, also known as Vu “nhom”, fourformer officers of the public security sector, and the Hanoi People’sProcuracy.
Vu,former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bac Nam 79 ConstructionCompany, former Chairman of the Nova Bac Nam 79 Company and former SeniorLieutenant Colonel in the public security force, was charged with “abusing position and power whileperforming duties.”
Bui Van Thanh and Tran Viet Tan, former DeputyMinisters of Public Security, faced the charge of “showing irresponsibility,causing serious consequences.”
Phan Huu Tuan, former Deputy General Director atthe Ministry of Public Security (MoPS), and Nguyen Huu Bach, a former officerof the MoPS, were also brought to the first-instance trial for the charge of“abusing position and power while performing duties.”
Accordingto the first-instance court, Vu, in the names of divisions under the MoPS, askedministries, agencies and local authorities to rent land to him and transfer theright to use land and property on land of public housing and land projectsspanning thousands of square metres in prime positions in the central city ofDa Nang and Ho Chi Minh City not in line with legal regulations.
The People’s Court of Hanoi on January 30sentenced Vu to 15 years in jail for “abusing position and power whileperforming duties”.
Vu’s accomplices – Tuan and Bach, each receivedfive years imprisonment for the same charge.
Meanwhile, two other accomplices of Vu - Thanh andTan - were sentenced to 30 months and 36 months in prison, respectively, forthe same charge of “showing irresponsibility, causing serious consequences”.
Following the trial, the Hanoi People’s Procuracyfiled appeals against the court’s decisions on civil matters regardingcompanies and units.
Vu claimed innocence in the case. Thanh asked forprobation while Tan appealed to the court to protect his legitimate rights andinterests. Both Bach and Tuan asked for reduced sentences.-VNA
VNA