Former public security officers proposed jail terms of 30 months-15 years

Procurators on January 29 proposed imprisonment sentences ranging from 30 months to 15 years to five former officers of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) for their public property-related wrongdoings in Da Nang city and Ho Chi Minh City.
Phan Van Anh Vu (Source: VNA)

Phan Van Anh Vu (Source: VNA)

Specifically, they offered a jail penalty of 14-15 years to Phan Van Anh Vu (born in 1975, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bac Nam 79 Construction company, former Chairman of the Nova Bac Nam 79 company, former Senior Lieutenant Colonel and deputy head of a division at General Department V of the MPS), a jail term of 7-8 years to Phan Huu Tuan (born in 1955, former Lieutenant General and Deputy General Director of General Department V), and a 6-7-year imprisonment sentence to Nguyen Huu Bach (born in 1963, former Colonel and deputy head of Department B61 under General Department V).

All of them were charged with “abusing position and power while performing duties” under Article 356, the 2015 Penal Code.

Meanwhile, a jail term of 36-42 months was proposed for Tran Viet Tan (born in 1955, former Senior Lieutenant General and Deputy Minister of the MPS), and a sentence of 30-36 months in prison recommended for Bui Van Thanh (born in 1959, former Lieutenant General and Deputy Minister of the MPS).

They were accused of “showing irresponsibility, causing serious consequences” under Article 285, the 1999 Penal Code.

In addition, the Supreme People’s Procuracy suggested the court to ban the five defendants from assuming public security positions from 3-5 years after being released from prison.

According to the indictment of the procuracy, while operating the Bac Nam 79 Construction and Nova Bac Nam 79 companies, Phan Van Anh Vu, in the name of the MPS, asked ministries, sectors and local administrations to rent land to him and transfer the right to use land and property on land of public housing and land projects in prime positions in Da Nang city and HCM City to him not in line with State regulations.

He then made them his own properties or his relatives’, transferred them or put them under shared ownership with other people to earn illegal profits, causing losses of more than 1.159 trillion VND (about 50 million USD) to the State.

Phan Huu Tuan and Nguyen Huu Bach proposed or submitted documents seeking the MPS leaders’ approval that asked ministries, sectors and the People’s Committees of Da Nang and HCM City to create conditions for Vu’s two companies to rent land or transfer the right to use land and property on land. Their actions caused more than 1.134 trillion VND in losses to the State, the procuracy said.

The Supreme People’s Procuracy blamed both then Deputy Ministers of the MPS Bui Van Thanh and Tran Viet Tan for lacking responsibility in management. It also attributed those violations partly to the lax management and infringement of regulations on public housing and land by some leaders of the Da Nang and HCM City People’s Committees.

Thanh’s irresponsibility led to nearly 223 billion VND in losses while Tan’s caused some 155 billion VND in losses, the supreme procuracy added.

The procuracy said that this is a serious case which has drawn special public attention. The judgment of the case demonstrates the determination of the Party, State, and law safeguarding agencies to fight corruption, and exercise the principle of law supremacy with no prohibited zones and exceptions.

The trial, carried out by the Hanoi People’s Court, is scheduled to last until January 30.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.