Combating crimes that threaten national security.

Many individuals were dealt with severely.

In 2021, the security investigation agency initiated legal proceedings in 1 case involving 1 defendant for "Activities aimed at overthrowing the people's government"; and in 2 cases involving 2 defendants for "Making, possessing, distributing, or disseminating information and documents aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam".

Defendant Tran Huu Duc was sentenced to 3 years in prison for the crime of subverting the people's government. (Photo courtesy of Nguyen Nguyen)

For example, on January 21, 2021, authorities arrested Tran Huu Duc (born in 1964), residing in Nam Dan district, for investigation into activities aimed at overthrowing the people's government. On August 16, 2021, the Nghe An Provincial People's Court held a first-instance trial of Tran Huu Duc for the crime of "Activities aimed at overthrowing the people's government" under Clause 3, Article 109 of the Penal Code.

The indictment from the Provincial People's Procuracy clearly states: From June 2020 to January 2021, Duc contacted Ho Thi Xuan Huong and Ngo Cong Tru, members of the terrorist organization "Provisional National Government of Vietnam" based in the US, led by Dao Minh Quan, via Facebook. Following their instructions, Duc collected personal information of 36 citizens residing in Nam Linh, Xuan Lam, and Kim Lien communes (Nam Dan district) and sent it to Ho Thi Xuan Huong to register them for a "referendum" to elect Dao Minh Quan as president of the "Third Republic of Vietnam".

The trial of defendant Tran Huu Duc at the first instance on charges of activities aimed at overthrowing the people's government. (Photo courtesy of Nguyen Nguyen)

Subsequently, Duc wrote an application via the Facebook account "I Am My Homeland" to join the "Provisional National Government of Vietnam"; he insulted the leader on Vietnamese banknotes and then took a photo to send to Ngo Cong Tru to register for the "Provisional National Government of Vietnam," with the aim of overthrowing the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and abolishing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam... Based on legal regulations, the First Instance Court sentenced the defendant Tran Huu Duc to 3 years of imprisonment for the crime of "Activities aimed at overthrowing the people's government." The defendant was also sentenced to 2 years of probation from the end of the prison term.

Previously, on March 22, 2021, the Security Investigation Agency of the Nghe An Provincial Police executed an emergency detention order against Nguyen Duy Huong (born in 1987), residing in Yen Thanh district, to investigate his alleged act of "Making, possessing, disseminating, or propagating information and documents aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam" under Article 117 of the Penal Code.

According to investigative documents, from 2018 until his arrest, Nguyen Duy Huong used the Facebook account "Bao Kiem" to post numerous contents distorting and slandering the people's government. Huong also exploited sensitive events to write, post, and share images and articles containing content that defamed the government, slandered and insulted the activities of public agencies, and insulted those performing their duties. Nguyen Duy Huong's actions undermined the people's trust in the Party and the socialist regime, and disrupted political and ideological unity in society...

The suspect Nguyen Duy Huong used the Facebook account "Bao Kiem" to post numerous contents that distorted and slandered the people's government. (Photo courtesy of Duc Vu.jpg)

From 2017 to the present, the Security Investigation Agency of the Nghe An Provincial Police has initiated investigations into 8 cases involving 8 defendants charged with crimes against national security. These individuals often colluded with extremist elements and reactionary organizations abroad to build and gather forces, establish and organize activities to incite unrest and protests, and exploit cyberspace to spread distorted propaganda about the Party's policies and the State's laws, slander leaders, defame the people's government, and abuse democratic freedoms to carry out subversive activities against the Party and the State.

Among them, some individuals with high educational qualifications and basic training have prematurely developed feelings of dissatisfaction and negativity, being exploited, incited, and manipulated by hostile forces to commit acts against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Typical examples include Nguyen Viet Dung (born 1986), residing in Hau Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, a former student at a prestigious university in Hanoi; Nguyen Duy Huong (born 1987), residing in Yen Thanh district, a doctor at a private clinic; and Nguyen Nang Tinh (born 1976), originally from Quynh Hung commune (Quynh Luu district), residing in Vinh City, formerly a teacher at a local college…

The arrest and strict prosecution of these individuals demonstrate the resolute stance of Nghe An authorities in combating those who engage in subversive activities against the Party and the State. It also serves as a warning to those who have gone astray and acted against the national interest, warning them that if they do not repent, they will face severe legal consequences. This helps the people understand the schemes of hostile forces, raise their vigilance, and avoid being incited or assisting in activities that undermine the State and disrupt national unity.

Building a people's security posture.

Nghe An is a large province with a large population and a land border stretching 468.281 km. The border area comprises 61 communes and wards across 11 districts and towns, home to many ethnic groups. The political security, order, and social safety situation in the province still harbors many potential risks.

Therefore, over the years, the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee have directed relevant agencies to coordinate closely and promptly detect and strictly handle criminal acts.infringing on national securityIn the area, for example, recently, in accordance with Document No. 1193 dated November 22, 2021, from the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution regarding the coordination of inspections of publications distributed on the market, on November 30, 2021, the Nghe An Department of Information and Communications issued Official Letter No. 1855 requesting the People's Committees of districts, cities, and towns to direct their Culture and Information departments to: Inform book businesses to be aware of and require them to commit to not buying, selling, or storing the book "The Wool Sweater My Mother Knitted" by author Trung Quan, published by Hong Duc Publishing House.

At the same time, authorities will inspect bookstores in the area and promptly confiscate any copies of the book found being sold or stored.

Cover and content of the book "The Sweater My Mother Knitted". (Photo courtesy of the archives)

In this book, there is a passage that reads, "I want to knit a garment of freedom and democracy for my homeland to replace the dictatorship and oppression of Communism, to knit sacred national sentiment to replace the foreign dictatorial ideology, to knit prayers and supplications to replace empty promises, deceptive rhetoric, and deceitful lies..." Although it is a quotation, it is easy to see the author's intention to spread anti-state and anti-socialist ideology in Vietnam.

Imbued with the perspective of combining national strength with the strength of the times in building and protecting the Fatherland, the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee and People's Committee have directed functional agencies, Party committees, and local authorities to build and expand the "All People Protect National Security" movement, adapting it to each region, target group, and time period. To date, the entire province has developed more than 58 types of advanced models and exemplary practices in crime prevention and control, ensuring security and order in 1,443 residential areas, communes, wards, towns, agencies, businesses, and schools, all operating effectively. Among these, 8 models have been commended by the Ministry of Public Security and replicated nationwide. Typical examples include the "Ensuring Security and Order in Building New Rural Areas" model in Hung Tan commune, Hung Nguyen district; and the model of skillful public mobilization in community reintegration in Thai Hoa town… contributing to building a solid people's security posture at the grassroots level.

The police in Quy Hop district have donated nearly 6,000 security keychains to residents in the area. (Photo: Hoai Thu.jpg)

On the other hand, to prevent political opportunists and hostile forces from exploiting pressing and prominent issues of public concern to exaggerate weaknesses and limitations in the leadership, direction, and management of Party committees and government at all levels; to undermine the prestige of officials at all levels in order to diminish trust among Party members and the people, and to cause social instability, the province also requires all sectors and localities to pay attention to receiving citizens and resolving complaints and denunciations, focusing on resolving disputes in some sensitive areas decisively, avoiding delays and prolonged conflicts that create hotspots and cause public discontent. At the same time, it directs the strict handling of cases related to official misconduct, corruption, economic crimes, etc.In 2021, the entire province discovered and prosecuted 10 cases involving 35 defendants related to official misconduct and corruption (an increase of 5 cases and 19 defendants compared to 2020).

The main offenses were abuse of position and authority in the performance of official duties; negligence causing serious consequences; forgery in work; abuse of position and authority to misappropriate assets; and abuse of power in the performance of official duties. 201 cases involving 314 defendants related to economic crimes were detected and prosecuted (an increase of 35 cases and 98 defendants compared to 2020).

Police forces launched a crackdown on crime for the sake of peace and security. (Photo: Binh Minh)

Alongside the fight against various types of crime, the authorities are also implementing flexible solutions in their public awareness campaigns to enhance people's vigilance against schemes and acts that infringe upon national security, especially in cyberspace.

Encourage and motivate citizens to fulfill their civic responsibilities and actively support the policies and guidelines of the Party, the State, and the local authorities in socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security.