VietNamNet Bridge - Before his arrest, former Vice Chair of Tien Lang district, Hai Phong city, Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh, sent a petition to the authorities and the press to claim that he was not guilty of the forcible land acquisition in the district early this year.

Tien Lang case: Former district vice chair arrested

However, on October 25, Haiphong Investigative Police Agency said that there is no evidence to show that Khanh had opposed to the land coercion.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duy Dien, director of Haiphong Police Agency’s office, Khanh was assigned as the head of the working group to coercively recover the lagoon of Doan Van Vuon.

The enforcement decision did not include the demolition of buildings and property, but Khanh issued Notification No. 225/TB-BCD dated 28-12-2011 to assign specific tasks for enforcement teams, in which two teams were assigned to dismantle Doan Van Vuon’s house, which was built near the lagoon to prevent thieves from stealing fish.

During the coercion process on May 1, 2012, Mr. Khanh directed the demolition of the house of Vuon’s brother Doan Van Quy, although the house was not within the scope of enforcement. Khanh also called to hire bulldozers to demolish Doan Van Vuon’s garden.

“Khanh is still not aware of his behavior. He still denies his mistakes and blames others and does not work with investigators," Dien said.

Dien added that there is no document showing Khanh’s opposition against the coercion.

And why are the other defendants in the case are out on bail, except Mr Khanh? Dien said that these subjects showed their honest attitude, understood the offense and were willing to pay compensation for the damage caused by their behavior.

Investigation showed that these subjects just followed the directions of their superiors so it is unnecessary to detent them.

Q.Minh