Ministry of Public Security searches villa, prosecutes former Vice Chairman of Da Nang

From 9am on March 18, many police officers and prosecutors were present at Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan's house on Hoang Ke Viem Street, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang. Mr. Tuan, who was with the group, got out of the official car leading to the house.

The leader of Da Nang City Police confirmed that the Investigation Police Agency (Ministry of Public Security) has prosecuted Mr. Tuan and released him on bail.

The authorities invited Mr. Ho Sy Hoang (Head of Neighborhood Group 22) to witness the announcement of the search warrant. At 10:15 a.m., the official car carrying the group of officials left the villa without Mr. Tuan.

On the same day, the Ministry of Public Security also searched, prosecuted and released on bail a number of former leaders in Da Nang.

Colonel Tran Muu (Head of the Investigation Police Agency, Deputy Director of Da Nang City Police) said that Mr. Tuan and the above officers are suspected of being related to Phan Van Anh Vu (Vu "Nhom") in the case of violations in public land management in Da Nang.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan was the Director of the Department of Construction before being elected Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee in 2012. At the end of 2018, he retired one month early and was voted by 100% of the city People's Council delegates to be dismissed from his position.

In the conclusion announced in early March, the Government Inspectorate recommended that the Prime Minister review the responsibilities and take disciplinary action according to regulations against the Chairman, Vice Chairmen of the Da Nang City People's Committee and related organizations and individuals (2010-2016 period) according to the cadre hierarchy who committed violations and shortcomings in the conversion of public land funds, housing facilities, land, etc.

During this period, Da Nang converted 52 real estate facilities under the city's management to other purposes. Of which, 31 facilities were resold to lessees; 8 were auctioned; 8 were sold directly; 50-year leases and land transfers were made and 5 were exchanged. The total amount of money collected for the budget was 766 billion VND. According to the Government Inspectorate, the total amount of violations in determining the land use fee collection price of 52 facilities of the Da Nang City People's Committee was over 156 billion VND.

In the case involving Phan Van Anh Vu, many leaders in Da Nang have been in trouble with the law. In April 2018, two former Chairmen of the Da Nang People's Committee, Mr. Tran Van Minh and Mr. Van Huu Chien, were prosecuted by the Ministry of Public Security for their actions.Violating regulations on management and use of state assets causing loss and waste(according to Article 219 of the 2015 Penal Code) andViolating state regulations on land management(Article 229 of the 2015 Penal Code).