Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has initiated legal proceedings against former deputy chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Huu Tin for his involvement in the wrongdoings linked to Phan Van Anh Vu, a notorious business tycoon in the central city of Da Nang.

The ministry on Tuesday announced its decision to begin legal procedures against Tin and three others involved in the case of “violating regulations on the management and use of state assets, which causes losses and wastefulness” in Ho Chi Minh City.

Tin, 61, was vice-chairman of the municipal People’s Committee from 2004 to 2008, while the other three suspects are former and incumbent officials in the southern metropolis.

They are barred from leaving their places of residence, while a warant to search their houses and workplaces was also issued.

Tin and his accomplices were charged for being involved in the violations at multiple projects in Ho Chi Minh City associated with Phan Van Anh Vu, a.k.a. Vu ‘Nhom.’

On the same day, criminal proceedings were also started against Dao Tan Bang and Nguyen Viet Vinh, who are officials in Da Nang, along with two of the city’s ex-officials, Nguyen Van Can and Phan Xuan It.

Police search the house of Dao Tan Bang, an official in the central city of Da Nang on September 18, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Bang and Vinh were taken into custody by police, while Can and It are banned from leaving their places of residence.

The four are charged for breaching regulations on land management.

The Supreme People's Procuracy issued approvals for these procedural decisions in accordance with the provisions of law.

Vu ‘Nhom' is a business tycoon known for owning different companies and multiple pieces of ‘prime real estate’ in Da Nang.

He was previously charged for “abuse of positions and powers while on duty,” “deliberately disclosing state secrets,” “tax evasion,” and “violating regulations on the management and use of state assets, causing losses and wastefulness.”

On July 30, the Hanoi People’s Court sentenced Vu to nine years in prison for “deliberately disclosing state secrets” under Article 337 of the 2015 Penal Code.

A number of people have faced charges for their alleged links to Vu. 

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