Vietnam questions Ukraine about Lang Sen search

The Vietnamese representative asked the Ukrainian side to clarify the legal basis, purpose and how to handle the money confiscated after the search and arrest campaign in the residential area of ​​Vietnamese people late last month.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tri (left) during a meeting on the search of Lang Sen. Photo: Vietnam+

According to Vietnam+, todayOn February 16, in Kiev, Vietnamese Ambassador to Ukraine Nguyen Minh Tri had a working session with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) about the arrest and search of several apartments in Lang Sen and private homes and vehicles in Odessa city on January 28.

Ms. Natalia Altyntseva, Deputy Director of the SBU Foreign Affairs Department and a number of officers of the department, especially the officer in charge of the unit directly directing and conducting the above campaign, were present at the working session.

At the meeting, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tri pointed out that the timing, purpose and results of the search campaign caused concern among the Vietnamese community in Ukraine and public opinion in Vietnam, especially when it took place right before the Lunar New Year.

The Ambassador asked the Ukrainian side to inform him about the legal basis, the real purpose of the operation and how to deal with the money seized during the SBU search.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tri emphasized that the people whose money was seized during the search were not related to the suspects and the purpose stated in the search warrant. He said they were all people with legal residence, work and business rights in Ukraine, and their income was earned from labor and had legal origins.

The Ambassador affirmed his readiness to coordinate with Ukrainian authorities to resolve the case and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the people on the basis of law and relations between the two countries.

About 20 Vietnamese apartments in the Lang Sen area of ​​Odessa city were broken into and searched by security forces following a decision by the Pecherski court in the capital Kiev. The SBU said the search was to investigate illegal immigration.

Lotus Village was built with investment from Vietnamese people living in Odessa. Most of the apartments here are owned by Vietnamese people.

Ukrainian special forces and Vietnamese people clashed during a search on January 28. Photo: Prawwwda

Ms. Natalia Altyntseva said that the SBU has been collecting documents and evidence of law violations and coordinating with lawyers to prove the criminality or innocence of the individuals involved. Ukraine is ready to coordinate with the Vietnamese Embassy to resolve the case on the basis of law and ensure the rights and legitimate interests of Vietnamese citizens.

Regarding the amount of money confiscated from Vietnamese people during the search, the SBU representative said that they will carefully examine the origin and legal basis of each individual's money. In case the SBU does not detect signs of criminal involvement, the money will be returned to our people through the court. The SBU also asked the individuals whose money was confiscated to provide information and write a complaint to the authorities for resolution.

According to VNE