Phan Văn Anh Vũ. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Police have put seven people into temporary detention for their alleged involvement in the case of Phan Văn Anh Vũ, who was charged with “deliberately disclosing state secrets”, “tax evasion”, and “abusing position and power while performing duties.” 

According to the Ministry of Public Security’s (MoPS) announcement, the investigation police agency on Tuesday issued decisions to commence criminal proceedings against and take into custody Phan Hữu Tuấn, 63, former Deputy Director General of the MoPS’s General Department of Intelligence, and 55-year-old Nguyễn Hữu Bách, an officer of the MoPS. They are accused of deliberately disclosing state secrets.

Earlier the same day, President Trần Đại Quang signed a decision to strip Tuấn of the title “People’s Public Security officer”. Minister of Public Security Tô Lâm also signed a decision to strip Bách of the same title.

The police also launched criminal proceedings against and put into detention Trần Văn Minh, 63, former chairman of the People’s Committee of Đà Nẵng City for allegedly violating regulations on the management and use of State asset and breaches in land management.

Also yesterday, criminal proceedings were taken against Văn Hữu Chiến, former chairman of the Đà Nẵng People’s Committee, for the same charges as Minh. Sixty-four-year-old Chiến, residing in Hải Châu District, was banned from leaving his residence. 

Meanwhile, criminal proceedings and house arrest orders were also issued for Nguyễn Điểu, 60, former Director of the Đà Nẵng Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Trần Văn Toán, 61, former Deputy Director of the Đà Nẵng Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and 43-year-old Lê Cảnh Dương, director of Đà Nẵng Board for Investment Promotion and Support. They were accused of “violating State regulations on land management”. 

Earlier, police initiated an investigation against 43-year-old Đà Nẵng citizen Phan Văn Anh Vũ, nicknamed Vũ nhôm, for alleged breaches in the purchase and sale of public-owned houses and land in Đà Nẵng and some other provinces and cities.

Police are expanding the probe to clarify the responsibilities of the people involved. — VNS