Prosecution and temporary detention of commune chairman for smuggling illegal timber
During the investigation, the authorities determined that after directing the capture of illegal timber and bringing it to the headquarters, Mr. Nguyen Van Trung had the act of dispersing and giving this timber as a gift to others.
On December 26, information from the Investigation Police Agency of Krong Bong District, Dak Lak Province said that the unit has issued a decision to prosecute the accused and execute a 4-month temporary detention order against Mr. Nguyen Van Trung (former Chairman of the People's Committee of Cu Dram Commune, Krong Bong District, Dak Lak Province) to investigate and handle the act of "Taking advantage of position and power while performing official duties".
In addition to the arrest, on December 26, the authorities are also conducting a search of Mr. Nguyen Van Trung's workplace. The decision has been approved by the People's Procuracy of the same level. Previously, the People's Committee of Krong Bong district also issued a decision to temporarily suspend Mr. Nguyen Van Trung from work for 3 months at the request of the District Police Investigation Agency to serve the investigation.
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| The illegal timber was seized and brought to the headquarters of the People's Committee of Cu Dram commune. |
Previously, in February 2019, Mr. Nguyen The Ton (former officer of Cu Dram commune) filed a complaint accusing Mr. Trung and several other officers of illegally capturing timber but then disposing of the evidence, selling it and giving it to commune officers against regulations.
By July 2019, the Investigation Police Agency of Krong Bong District Police had decided not to prosecute the case and concluded that Mr. Nguyen Van Trung's behavior showed signs of the crime of "Taking advantage of position and power while performing official duties", but through investigation, it was determined that there were no elements of personal gain or other personal motives.
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| The wood was confiscated by the People's Committee of Cu Dram commune, but was later dispersed by some commune officials and given away to others in violation of regulations. |
However, in April 2020, the Dak Lak Provincial People's Procuracy issued a document stating that the Krong Bong District Police Investigation Agency had not fulfilled its responsibility to prove and clarify the criminal acts of the related subjects but had decided not to prosecute the criminal case without legal basis, showing signs of letting criminals escape, and requested to cancel the decision not to prosecute the criminal case of this agency.
The Dak Lak Provincial People's Procuracy also determined that the actions of Mr. Nguyen Van Trung (Chairman of the Commune People's Committee), Y Na Eban (Deputy Commune Police), Tran Van Hieu (Chief of Commune Police) and Y Ha Eban (Commune Team Leader) had sufficient elements to constitute the crime of "Abusing position and power while performing official duties".
In addition, the Dak Lak Provincial People's Procuracy also pointed out 4 other people in the Standing Committee meeting of the Party Committee of Cu Dram commune for violating State regulations and showing signs of being accomplices with Mr. Trung for the crime of "Taking advantage of position and power while performing official duties".
The case is being further investigated by authorities in Dak Lak, and those involved will be handled according to the law.
