Hanoi (VNA) – Two former officers of the public security sector involved in the case of acquiring public properties and land in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City had their jail sentences reduced at an appeal trial in Hanoi on June 13.
The capital-based High-Level People’s Court reduced sentences for Phan Huu Tuan, former Deputy General Director at the Ministry of Public Security, from five years to four years; and Nguyen Huu Bach, former Deputy Director at the Ministry of Public Security, from five years to three years and six months after considering their role in the case.
However, the court denied the appeal of Phan Van Anh Vu, also known as Vu “nhom”, and upheld his 15-year sentence for “abusing position and power while performing duties.”
Vu is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bac Nam 79 Construction Company, former Chairman of the Nova Bac Nam 79 Company and former Senior Lieutenant Colonel in the public security force.
The court also upheld the 30-month and 36-month sentences for former Deputy Ministers of Public Security Bui Van Thanh and Tran Viet Tan, respectively, for the charge of “showing irresponsibility, causing serious consequences.”
It concluded that Vu took the main responsibility in this case. He illegally established businesses, searching for State-owned assets with high profitability.
He proposed Tuan to direct Bach to make documents in the name of the Ministry of Public Security for illegal real estate trading.
Vu’s behaviours not only caused material losses but also implicated others and reduced the prestige of some local administrations and the public security sector, according to the verdict.
Therefore, the court decided to give Vu the highest penalty of 15 years in prison.-VNA
VNA