Defendants at the appeal court on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

HÀ NỘI — Two former officers of the public security sector involved in the case of acquiring public property and land in central Đà Nẵng City and HCM City have had their jail sentences reduced at an appeal trial in Hà Nội on Thursday.

The capital-based High-Level People’s Court reduced sentences for Phan Hữu Tuấn, former Deputy General Director at the Ministry of Public Security, from five years to four years; and Nguyễn Hữu Bách, former Deputy Director at the Ministry of Public Security, from five years to three years and six months after considering their role in the case.

However, the court denied the appeal of Phan Văn Anh Vũ, also known as Vũ “nhôm”, and upheld his 15-year sentence for “abusing position and power while performing duties”.

Vũ is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bắc Nam 79 Construction Company, former Chairman of the Nova Bắc Nam 79 Company and former Senior Lieutenant Colonel in the public security force.

The court also upheld the 30-month and 36-month sentences for former deputy ministers of Public Security Bùi Văn Thành and Trần Việt Tân, respectively, for the charge of “showing irresponsibility, causing serious consequences”.

It concluded that Vũ took the main responsibility in this case. He illegally established businesses, searching for State-owned assets with high profitability.

He proposed Tuấn to direct Bách to make documents in the name of the Ministry of Public Security for illegal real estate trading. 

Vũ’s behaviour not only caused material losses but also implicated others and reduced the prestige of some local administrations and the public security sector, according to the verdict.

Therefore, the court decided to give Vũ the highest penalty of 15 years in prison. — VNS