Blackmailing commune officials with denunciations

On November 30, Mr. Huu, 70 years old, residing in Kim Song Truong commune, was prosecuted and detained by Can Loc district police, Ha Tinh province for the crime ofExtortion, according to Article 170 of the Penal Code.

Suspect Huu (white shirt) at the investigation agency. Photo:Police provided

According to the investigation, in March, Mr. Huu called and threatened Mr. Nguyen An Giang (an official of Kim Song Truong commune, Can Loc district), saying "if you don't behave, I will sue you."

Authorities accused Mr. Huu of later writing a complaint against Mr. Giang, with many contents such as lacking qualifications, allowing many land violations to occur, having an authoritarian and arrogant working attitude towards the people...

Can Loc district authorities said the accusations in the petition were baseless. In fact, the officials of Kim Song Truong commune had sufficient qualifications and had not committed any violations during their work.

In mid-November, when he learned that Mr. Giang had transferred to Khanh Vinh Yen commune, Mr. Huu allegedly continued to make threatening phone calls. He demanded 50 million VND, otherwise he would continue to write a petition.

According to the investigation agency, because he did not want to affect his reputation and work at the new agency, Mr. Giang agreed to give the money and reported the incident to the Can Loc District Police.

At around 1:00 p.m. on November 23, when he met Mr. Giang receiving money, Mr. Huu was arrested.