Police searches the residence of Xà Dương Thắng, one of the 12 former officials allegedly involved in the case. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Thanh

HÀ NỘI — Criminal proceedings have been launched against 12 former officials of the south-central province of Bình Thuận for violating regulations on the management and use of State-owned assets, causing losses and waste in line with Article 219 of the Criminal Code.

The Ministry of Public Security announced on April 26 that they were involved in the Phan Thiết coastal tourism urban area project in Phú Thủy Ward, Phan Thiết City, Bình Thuận Province which is invested by Rạng Đông JSC.

Among them, five were detained, including former Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Lê Tiến Phương, former Director of the provincial Construction Department and former Secretary of the Bắc Bình District Party Committee Xà Dương Thắng, former Chairman of the Phan Thiết municipal People’s Committee Đỗ Ngọc Điệp, former Deputy Director of the Southern Information and Valuation JSC - Bình Thuận branch Hồ Như Hải and former head of the general administration office of the provincial Land Management Department Lê Anh Huy.

Six others are serving prison sentences for similar offences at Tân Việt Phát 2 commercial, service and residential area project in Bình Thuận Province. — VNS