Chairman of Hà Nội People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung has been detained following his suspension from duties two weeks ago.

The Investigation Agency under the Ministry of Public Security has decided to launch legal proceedings against the chairman of Hà Nội People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung on charges of “illegally appropriating State secrets” under Article 337 of the 2015 Panel Code.

He will be detained for four months and his house and office will be searched.

On August 11, the chairman was suspended from official duties for 90 days, while a police investigation was carried out into his role in a number of cases under a decision signed by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.

On the same day, the Communist Party of Việt Nam's Politburo announced Chung would be suspended from his position as Vice Secretary of Hà Nội's Party Committee.

Chung was being investigated in connection with accusations of smuggling, accounting violations, money laundering and violations of bidding regulations, involving the privately owned software and technology service firm Nhật Cường company and Hà Nội's Department of Planning and Investment.

Nhật Cường's director-general Bùi Quang Huy is currently wanted for questioning by police.

The police are also looking into Chung's role in a case of mismanagement of State assets and theft of State secrets, in which arrest warrants have been issued against an official working at the Hà Nội People’s Committee, Chung’s personal driver and a serving police officer.

Chung was born on August 3, 1967, in Thăng Long Commune, Kinh Môn District in the northern province Hải Dương. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Việt Nam People’s Police Academy and a Doctorate in Law.

Prior to becoming the leader of the capital city in December 2015, Chung served in many positions in Hà Nội’s public security force.

In 2001, he led the serious crime unit of the Investigation Police Department, Hà Nội. From 2004 to 2007, he was the deputy leader of the Criminal Police Department and then head of the department.

He served as deputy director of Hà Nội’s police in 2011-12 before rising to the top position in September 2012.

In September 2013, Chung was promoted to the rank of major general. — VNS