VietNamNet Bridge – The trial of five local officials involved in a land seizure case in Tien Lang District, Hai Phong City, concluded yesterday, April 10, following a three day hearing.

The People's Court of Hai Phong City handed a 30-month sentence to Nguyen Van Khanh. (Photo: VNN) 

The People's Court of Hai Phong City handed a 30-month sentence to Nguyen Van Khanh, former vice chairman of the Tien Lang People's Committee, on charges of damaging citizen's property.

Pham Xuan Hoa, former chief of the Natural Resources and Environment Department in Tien Lang, and Le Thanh Liem, former chairman of Tien Lang's Vinh Quang Commune, were both given 24-month suspended sentences on the same charges.

Pham Dang Hoan, former secretary of Vinh Quang Commune's Party committee, got a 15-month suspended prison term.

Le Van Hien, former chairman of the Tien Lang People's Committee, was given a 15-month suspended sentence for "irresponsibility causing serious consequences" under the Criminal Code.

The jury also decided that the five defendants have to pay compensation for property damages to Doan Van Vuon, who was also a defendant in another case tried last week by the same court.

According to prosecutors, on January 5, 2012, Khanh directly instructed 100 police officers and soldiers to evict Vuon from 19 hectares of swampland leased to him in 1993 under a 14-year contract in Vinh Quang Commune.

The officers dismantled the house, some tents erected near a fish pond and other property belonging to Vuon's family.

Hoa, Liem and Hoan had helped Khanh perform the eviction, according to prosecutors. Hien was charged for letting his subordinates illegally damage Vuon's property.

Last Friday, Vuon and his younger brother Doan Van Quy were sentenced to five years in prison each for attempted murder, after they used weapons to resist the eviction.

Source: VNS