Case G175: Restoring peace to the villages

(Baonghean) - After 17 days of strenuous effort, high determination, and overcoming all difficulties, at approximately 6 PM on July 19, 2015, the special task force codenamed G175 arrested the suspect in Phong village, Tam Hop commune, Tuong Duong district; initially restoring peace to the village.

Focus on solving the case.

At 8 PM on July 2, 2015, the Nghe An Provincial Police received a report from the Tuong Duong District Police stating that: Around 3 PM that same day, Mr. Vi Van Hoai, born in 1969, and his son, Vi Van Tuyen, born in 1991, both residing in Phong village, Tam Hop commune, Tuong Duong district, Nghe An province, went to the C5 area of ​​Canh Ta stream to fish (near the shack of Mr. Lo Van Tho, born in 1987, residing in Phong village, Tam Hop commune, Tuong Duong district, Nghe An province). While walking along Canh Ta stream, they discovered Mrs. Vieng Thi Duong, born in 1952 (Mr. Tho's mother), Ms. Le Thi Yen, born in 1989 (Mr. Tho's wife), and their child, Lo Viet Chung, born in August 2014 (Mr. Tho's son), all lying dead on the bank of Canh Ta stream. Later, Vi Van Tuyen went to Tho's shack and found Tho lying dead in front of it, so he quickly reported it to the authorities.

Colonel Nguyen Huu Cau (leading), Director of the Nghe An Provincial Police, and his delegation arrived at the scene to direct the investigation of the case.

Immediately after receiving the report, and determining this to be an exceptionally serious murder case causing public alarm and anxiety, the Nghe An Provincial Police directed the PC45 Department to take the lead, in coordination with the PC54 Department, the Tuong Duong District Police, and other relevant units, to conduct a scene investigation, examine the bodies, and establish a special case codenamed G175, initiating a "Murder" case for focused investigation and clarification. Simultaneously, they reported to the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, and the Provincial People's Committee for guidance. Comrade Ho Duc Phoc, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee, promptly issued directives to relevant agencies to focus on investigating the case while also effectively carrying out propaganda work to stabilize public sentiment in the province.

The provincial police mobilized over 60 officers from departments PC45, PC54, and the Tuong Duong district police, led by Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duc Hai, Deputy Director of the provincial police, to the scene to direct the investigation. However, due to the crime scene being a remote and isolated area of ​​the mountainous Tuong Duong district; bordering the Lao People's Democratic Republic, with little traffic and far from populated areas (about 80 minutes' walk through the forest); inhabited by various ethnic groups (Tay Poong, Thai, Mong); and generally having limited education and legal awareness… the investigation and verification process faced numerous difficulties.

For days on end, traversing forests and streams, facing the hardships of the remote mountains, the special investigation team received assistance and support from the Tam Hop Border Guard Post (Tuong Duong); the smooth and effective coordination of the Nghe An Provincial People's Procuracy from the initial crime scene investigation; and the comprehensive support and attention from local Party committees and authorities... All hoped to quickly find the perpetrator and restore peace to the village. Colonel Nguyen Huu Cau, Director and Head of the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Nghe An Provincial Police, personally visited the scene many times, holding meetings with investigative forces from the Ministry of Public Security and the province to assess the situation and direct the subsequent investigation.

To provide timely support to the special investigation team, the Ministry of Public Security's leadership dispatched a task force led by Major General Ho Sy Tien, Director of Department C45, and Colonel Pham Van Tam, Deputy Director of Department C45, to directly supervise and coordinate the investigation. The Criminal Science Institute of the Ministry of Public Security and related professional departments also reinforced their forces and resources to coordinate and support the investigation. The forces involved in solving the case regularly reported and received timely guidance from General Tran Dai Quang, Member of the Political Bureau and Minister of Public Security, and Lieutenant General Le Quy Vuong, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and Deputy Minister of Public Security.

Specifically, on July 18, 2015, in Hanoi, Comrade Nguyen Huu Cau, Director of the Nghe An Provincial Police, directly reported on the progress of the investigation and requested guidance from the Ministry. With high spirit and determination, and under the close guidance of the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security and the leaders of Nghe An province, overcoming objective difficulties and employing various professional methods, at approximately 6 PM on July 19, 2015, the special task force investigated and apprehended the suspect, Vi Van Hai (also known as Vi Van Mann), born in 1995, residing in Phong village, Tam Hop commune, Tuong Duong district, right at his hiding place in the forest.

Through the course of the investigation, Vi Van Hai confessed to his crimes. Currently, the Nghe An Provincial Police are holding Vi Van Hai in custody and are coordinating with relevant forces of the Ministry of Public Security to further consolidate documents and evidence related to the case.

Restore peace to the village.

Immediately after receiving news that the special task force had apprehended the suspect, on the evening of July 19th, Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang sent a letter of commendation to the police units and localities involved in solving the case. On July 20th, the Secretary of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee sent a letter of commendation to the officers and soldiers of the Nghe An Provincial Police, praising their resourcefulness, courage, and ability to overcome all difficulties in investigating and successfully solving this particularly serious case, bringing peace to the people. In recognition of the efforts of the special task force, the People's Committee of Nghe An Province also decided to award the Criminal Police Department (Ministry of Public Security) 100 million VND and the Nghe An Provincial Police forces involved in solving the case 100 million VND. To promptly support the victims' families, the Provincial People's Committee also directed Tuong Duong district and Tam Hop commune to provide socialized funding to help build houses for two families of the victims' relatives (Mr. Lo Van Binh and the parents of victim Le Thi Yen), with 50 million VND for each family.

Peace has returned to Phong village, Tam Hop commune, Tuong Duong district.

On July 20th, we returned to Phong village (Tam Hop - Tuong Duong). The rice in the villagers' fields was welcoming the new rains, escaping the long period of drought. At this time, the people of Phong village were also free, so most were gathered at home. They had returned to their normal lives and work, despite being shocked to hear that Vi Van Hai was the suspect in the murder of Lo Van Tho's family. Vieng Van Do, the village head, shared that after the unfortunate incident, the villagers joined hands to bury the victims according to the village's customs and moved Lo Van Binh's house to a new location closer to the village head's house so that the head's family could easily care for him (Do is Binh's half-brother).

According to Mr. Vi Canh Toan, Secretary of the Party Committee of Tam Hop commune, after discovering the incident on July 2nd, the commune's Party Committee held a Standing Committee meeting on July 4th and sent officials to each household to reassure the villagers. At the same time, the People's Committee of Tam Hop commune also launched a fundraising campaign, collecting 4 million VND as initial support for the affected family.

The people of Phong village have returned to their normal lives and work routines.

When we arrived in Phong village, next to the village headman Do's house was Mr. Binh's newly built small house. The small house, situated in the middle of the village, was still somewhat messy but filled with warmth and human kindness, thanks to the villagers' frequent visits and encouragement. Ms. Vi Thi Hue, Mr. Binh's neighbor, said that for the first few days, Mr. Binh refused to eat anything and wouldn't answer anyone's questions. Now, he has started talking and eating again. Sympathizing with the victim's family's grief, the officers and soldiers of the Tam Hop Border Guard Post also donated money to support them. During this time, the Post instructed its soldiers to constantly be present to encourage the victim's family and the villagers, so that everyone could feel at ease. Organizations and associations in Tuong Duong district also promptly visited, offered condolences, and provided support to the victim's family...

Duc Chuyen - Ho Phuong