The owner of Xin Chào restaurant has been declared innocent.

On the morning of April 24th, at the Xin Chào coffee shop in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, the leaders of the Binh Chanh District People's Procuracy handed over the decision to suspend the case and drop the charges against Mr. Nguyen Van Tan, who was prosecuted for illegal business activities.

Representatives from the Binh Chanh District People's Procuracy are in the process of handing over the decision to suspend the case and drop the charges against Mr. Tan at the Xin Chao restaurant.

Representing the People's Procuracy of Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City were Mr. Vo Gia Binh, Deputy Chief Procurator of Binh Chanh District People's Procuracy, and prosecutor Nguyen Le Anh.

On behalf of the People's Procuracy of Binh Chanh District, prosecutor Nguyen Le Anh announced the decisions to suspend the case, suspend the defendant, and issue a travel ban against Mr. Tan. Afterwards, Mr. Vo Gia Binh handed these decisions to Mr. Tan.

The decision to suspend the case and drop the charges against the defendant states: "Mr. Tan's registered business activities do not require a separate license as stipulated by law under Article 159 of the Criminal Code and are not required to have a certificate of eligibility for food hygiene and safety."

The fact that the Binh Chanh District Police twice determined that Mr. Nguyen Van Tan violated regulations by operating a business without a food safety and hygiene certificate and without a separate business license, leading to the prosecution of Mr. Tan for illegal business activities, is unfounded.

For that reason, the Chief Prosecutor of Binh Chanh District People's Procuracy issued a decision to suspend the criminal case, restoring the legal rights and interests of Mr. Nguyen Van Tan that had been suspended during the prosecution period. All procedural activities in this case are suspended from April 23, 2016.

Mr. Binh also affirmed that Mr. Tan's rights would continue to be protected.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tan, owner of Xin Chao coffee shop, shared: “I am extremely happy to receive the decision to suspend the case and drop the charges against me. I would like to thank Tuoi Tre newspaper and other newspapers and media outlets for reporting on my case. I am extremely grateful to the leaders at all levels, from the central to local governments, and to the people nationwide for their concern, help, and encouragement. I don't wish for anyone to go to jail because of my prosecution; I only wish to be able to work peacefully to support my elderly mother.”

Regarding compensation for damages, I don't know how to calculate it; I just hope to be compensated according to the law. I advise everyone that if you're doing business, you should research and fully comply with regulations, so you don't end up being prosecuted like me. Even if you get acquitted, it's still very difficult."

Many people came to Xin Chào restaurant to share the joy with Mr. Tan and support the restaurant.

Mr. Bao, residing in Tan Tuc town, Binh Chanh district, shared: "Initially, when I read the newspaper, I saw something very strange happening near my house. I was very concerned; how could such a bizarre thing happen? I don't know the truth yet, but the fact that someone involved in such small-scale trading was prosecuted and indicted, while security and order are still in jeopardy and dangerous acts are rampant, makes me question the details of the case. Now that it's concluded like this, I'm still wondering how those involved will be dealt with. What was the motive behind it? It needs to be clarified so that the people understand; there can be no ambiguity."

According to tuoitre.vn