Two Chinese nationals have been detained by police.—Photo from Quảng Ninh Province Police

THANH HÓA — Two foreigners have been detained by police as part of an investigation into the suspected desecration of the royal tomb of Emperor Lê Túc Tông, located in Kiên Thọ Commune, Ngọc Lặc District, the central province of Thanh Hóa.

Last Saturday evening, officials from the Thanh Hóa Centre for Historical Research and Cultural Heritage Conservation discovered signs that the emperor's tomb had been disturbed.

At the site, authorities found a mobile phone with Chinese-language settings, several identity documents belonging to a Chinese citizen and a metal probing tool commonly used to search for buried artefacts.

The findings were promptly reported to the Thanh Hóa Province Police Department by the heritage centre.

Local police subsequently alerted their counterparts in Quảng Ninh Province after learning that two suspects believed to be involved were attempting to flee to their country.

At approximately 2.15pm on Sunday, the Quảng Ninh Police Department apprehended the two suspects: Deng Zhui, 41, and Shen Jiangyang, 43.

Both are residents of Guangxi Province in China.

The suspects were handed over to Thanh Hóa Province police for further investigation.

Preliminary findings indicate they allegedly violated laws concerning the desecration of human remains, tombs and graves. They are specifically accused of desecrating the royal tomb of Emperor Lê Túc Tông.

Lê Túc Tông (1488–1505), also known as Lê Thuần, was the third son of Emperor Lê Hiến Tông.

Renowned for his intelligence and filial piety, Lê Túc Tông was appointed Crown Prince during his father’s reign.

The emperor ascended the throne in July 1504 during the Thái Trinh era, following his father’s death.

After passing away in 1505, his remains were interred at Kính Lăng in Lam Kinh, within the present-day bounds of Kiên Thọ Commune.

According to the Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư (The Complete Annals of Đại Việt), Emperor Lê Túc Tông was known for his virtuous character, respect for the wise and dedication to maintaining peace and stability throughout the realm.— VNS