Police investigators from the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) have decided to prosecute Kim Quoc Hoa, former Editor-in-Chief of the Nguoi Cao Tuoi (The Elderly) newspaper, after an investigation into an accusation that he abused his freedom and democratic rights to violate the State's interests and rights, as well as the interests of organisations and citizens.

Former Editor-in-Chief of The Elderly newspaper, Kim Quoc Hoa.

The People's Supreme Procuracy approved a request for a search warrant to examine Hoa's residence.

According to a report from the MPS's investigation agency, the agency has already commenced criminal proceedings against Hoa for writing, editing and publishing articles whose content constitutes a violation.

The recent decision to prosecute Hoa came three months after his newspaper, The Elderly, was shut down after being prosecuted for the same offence in March.

Previously, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan said in a press briefing that an inspection conducted by the ministry discovered several wrongdoings between January 1, 2013 and October 30, 2014.

According to the inspection's report, the newspaper violated licensing regulations in setting up the electronic news website at www.nguoicaotuoi.org.vn.

According to the ministry's report, the website published untrue, distorting, slanderous and offensive information about agencies and organizations, as well as blighted the honor and dignity of certain individuals.

Its print version is also under review for publishing a number of complaints that prosecutors will argue have no legal foundation, and used groundless comments and inferences to provide the public with wrong information.

The newspaper published a number of stories that verged on disclosing State secrets, violated regulations on the protection of State secrets, and committed other abuses of freedom and democratic rights.

The newspaper was fined VND700 million (US$32,000).

Kim Quoc Hoa had a long history of editorial positions, working as the editor-in-chief of Tuoi tre thu do (Capital Youth) newspaper, Lao dong xa hoi (Labour and Society) newspaper and Xay dung (Construction) newspaper. He became editor-in-chief of Nguoi Cao Tuoi newspaper in 2007. 

VNS