The defendants listen to the proposed sentences. VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tấn

HÀ NỘI - The Hà Nội People’s Procuracy on Tuesday proposed jail sentences ranging from 18 to 27 years for two former chairmen of Đà Nẵng City People’s Committee for violations in land management and causing losses and waste of State resources.

Trần Văn Minh, former chairman of the city People’s Committee for the 2006-11 term, faces 25 to 27 years in prison for two charges of “violating regulations on managing and using State assets, causing losses and wastefulness” and “violating land management regulations”.

A prison term of 18 to 20 years was sought for Văn Hữu Chiến, former chairman in 2011-16 term for similar charges.

Phan Văn Anh Vũ, who illegally acquired 15 State-owned buildings and six land projects in Đà Nẵng, may get 25 to 27 years in prison for the two charges.

According to the indictment, Trần Văn Minh and Văn Hữu Chiến held key leadership positions of Đà Nẵng City and were in charge of State property management, use and land management.

The two defendants violated laws and ordered their staff to complete procedures of selling State-owned buildings and illegally transferring land lots to Phan Văn Anh Vũ. These actions were “conducted repeatedly for many times in a long period”.

Vũ is former chairman of the management board of the 79 Construction JSC, 79 North South Construction JSC, I.V.C Ltd Company and Nhất Gia Phúc Investment JSC.

The defendants colluded with Vũ as leaders and officials of the city People’s Committee.

With the help of the two former chairmen and other leading officials who signed and followed the orders, Vũ was able to acquire various State-owned buildings and land lots located in prime locations at a much lower price or without auction, according to the indictment.

Their actions caused losses of more than VNĐ22 trillion (US$956.5 million) to the State.

Prosecutors said dozens of ha of land and dozens of State-owned buildings were acquired by the real estate mogul Vũ, with 14 city officials involved.

The prosecutors said Vũ took advantage of his close relationships with the city’s leaders to buy State-owned houses, causing “inequality in the local business community for a long consecutive time”.

Besides Minh, Chiến and Vũ, jail terms of seven to 16 years were suggested for four other defendants on the two charges.

They are Nguyễn Ngọc Tuấn, former vice chairman of Đà Nẵng City People’s Committee; Phan Xuân Ít, former deputy chief of staff of the committee; Nguyễn Quang Thành, former director of Minh Hưng Phát Ltd Company; and Phan Minh Cương, former director of I.V.C Ltd Company and general director of 79 Construction JSC.

The other defendants, including former officials of the Đà Nẵng’s authorities and business managers, face jail terms of two to 10 years.

The procuracy proposed returning the properties involved in the case to the State.

The procuracy also asked the judge to assign the Đà Nẵng City People’s Committee to revoke illegal house contracts and contracts for switching the land rights of 11 State-owned buildings acquired by Vũ.

Related defendants should compensate losses caused to the State, prosecutors said.

The trial will last until January 15. VNS