Former National Assembly Deputies Luu Binh Nhuong and Le Thanh Van, along with their associates, were sentenced to prison on Monday after being found guilty of extorting property and abusing their power for personal gain.
The Thai Binh People’s Court, located in the northern province, sentenced Nhuong to a 13-year prison term, with three years for extortion and 10 years for misusing his position to influence others. Van was given a seven-year sentence, while Nguyen Van Vuong, a former specialist at the Presidential Office’s Legal Department, was handed a 14-year sentence for similar charges.
The court documents revealed that the defendants orchestrated several illegal activities, including the extortion of assets from the Sao Do Group’s branch in Thai Binh. They also manipulated civil court proceedings in Hai Phong and influenced project approvals in Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh provinces. Their actions disrupted the social order and harmed the investment environment in these areas.
The case mainly focused on the extortion of assets from Sao Do Company, which led to considerable financial damage. As part of the verdict, Nhuong was ordered to repay VND7.1 billion (US$279,600) to the state, while Van must return VND60 million.
