The Ministry of Public Security recently announced to press charges against Nguyen Huu Tin, former vice chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, and four others for their alleged involvement in a land misuse case involving the Saigon Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Corporation (Sabeco), the local media reported.

L-R: Nguyen Huu Tin, Dao Anh Kiet, Le Van Thanh, Truong Van Ut, and Nguyen Thanh Chuong - PHOTO: MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY WEBSITE

Nguyen Huu Tin had already been prosecuted for his involvement in some lawsuits against Danang-based business tycoon Phan Van Anh Vu, alias Vu Nhom.

The MPS’s Investigation Police Office (C01), directed by the ministry, had unearthed land management irregularities at Sabeco related to a prime location at No.2-4-6 Hai Ba Trung Street in HCMC’s District 1, the MPS said on its website (bocongan.gov.vn).

Accordingly, the agency decided to charge the five for their infringement of regulations on the management and use of land in line with Article 229 of the 2015 Penal Code.

Aside from Nguyen Huu Tin, 61, the other four are Dao Anh Kiet, 61, former director of the HCMC Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Le Van Thanh, 56, incumbent deputy chief of the HCMC People's Committee Office, Nguyen Thanh Chuong, 44, current head of the Urban Division at the Office, and Truong Van Ut, current deputy head of the Land Management Division at the above-mentioned department.

The five are currently put under house arrest and their houses have been searched by investigators to collect more evidence.

The MPS police are carrying out an extensive investigation into the case to inspect all violations of relevant individuals at the municipal departments, agencies, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Sabeco in line with prevailing regulations.

Among the five accused, Tin, Kiet, Thanh, and Chuong were previously prosecuted as they involved in a case called “Violations of the regulations on the management and use of State assets, causing losses and wastefulness” under the Article 219 of the 2015 Penal Code. This case related to Danang-based business tycoon Phan Van Anh Vu, alias Vu Nhom.

SGT