Suspect Mai Hoàng was arrested at his residence. — VNA/VNS Photo

HUẾ — The People’s Procuracy of Region 2 in the central city of Huế said on Tuesday that authorities have executed an arrest warrant and searched the residence of suspect Mai Hoàng as part of an ongoing investigation in accordance with the law.

On Monday, the Investigation Police Agency under the Huế Department of Public Security issued a decision to initiate criminal proceedings along with an order for temporary detention of Mai Hoàng on the charge of “abusing the rights to democracy and freedom to infringe upon the interests of the State and the rights and lawful interests of organisations and individuals” under Article 331 of the Penal Code.

According to investigators, through cyber monitoring operations, authorities discovered that the Facebook account “Hoàng Mai Huế” at the link facebook.com/hoangtu.banhmi.14 had frequently posted articles, images and videos and held livestreaming with content insulting the prestige and honour of State agencies, senior officials and law enforcement forces in Hue in connection with a civil judgment enforcement case involving his family.

Initial verification identified the account holder as Mai Hoàng, born in 1991, a bonsai business owner residing in the Thanh Hà residential quarter, Hòa Châu Ward.

From April 15 to May 5, he allegedly continuously posted and shared many articles and live-streamed, accusing officials of “robbing land”, “swindling to appropriate property” and “covering up wrongdoings”, while also using language deemed offensive to the honour and reputation of city leaders, court officials, civil judgment enforcement officers, police and other competent agencies.

Some of the posts and videos reportedly attracted hundreds of thousands of views along with thousands of interactions, comments and shares, causing adverse public reaction, negatively affecting the reputation of the agencies, organisations and individuals concerned, as well as impacting cyber security and public order online. 

According to preliminary investigation findings, although authorities had explained and guided him on exercising his right to lodge complaints and denunciations in accordance with legal procedures, Mai Hoàng continued using Facebook to publish and spread information considered accusatory, distorted and defamatory towards relevant agencies, organisations and individuals in an attempt to attract attention and stir negative public opinion online. — VNA/VNSccc