The Thai Binh Provincial Police have officially launched a criminal case and detained the Editor-in-Chief, a Vice Editor-in-Chief, and six other staff members, including journalists, from the Vietnam Urban Environment Magazine on charges related to extortion.

On the evening of September 26, the leadership of the Thai Binh Provincial Police confirmed to VietNamNet that the Criminal Investigation Department had initiated a case and executed emergency arrests. Authorities also conducted urgent searches of the homes and offices of several leaders and journalists of the magazine to expand the investigation into extortion activities occurring at the publication.

Based on the collected evidence, on September 25, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Thai Binh Provincial Police issued a decision to prosecute a case of extortion under Article 170, Clause 3 of the Penal Code.

On September 26, police issued emergency detention and search warrants for three individuals:  

- Nguyen Thi Anh Hong, Vice Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, residing in Hoang Mai District, Hanoi.  

- Dang Van Phuc, a journalist from Thanh Oai District, Hanoi.  

- Vu Duc Lan, a journalist from Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi.  

These individuals are under investigation for their involvement in extortion as defined under Article 170 of the Penal Code.

Earlier, on September 24, the Thai Binh Provincial Police announced the emergency arrest and search warrants for:  

- Dong Xuan Thu, Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, residing in Dong Da District, Hanoi.  

- Bui Van Toan, Head of the Economic Department.  

- Cao Thi Thu Huong, the magazine’s accountant, residing in Thanh Tri District, Hanoi.  

- Nguyen Ngoc Tuyen, a journalist from Thai Binh City.  

- Nguyen Tat Trien, another journalist from Thai Binh City.

All eight individuals arrested are currently employed by the Vietnam Urban Environment Magazine, as the investigation into extortion at the publication continues.

Hoai Anh