Bach Chi Dien, 66 years old, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Truong Son Commune People's Committee, Luong Son district, Hoa Binh province (formerly), along with his subordinate Hoang Manh Dung, 47 years old, a former land official, have been indicted by the Phu Tho Provincial Police Investigation Agency. They are prohibited from leaving their residences as part of an investigation into abuse of power while on duty, as defined by Article 357, Clause 3 of the Penal Code.

According to police, Dien served as a leader for two terms, from 2011 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2021. Between 2013 and 2018, the two suspects allegedly sold a total of 1,116 square meters of land. This land belonged to public facilities and agency headquarters, including the district tax sub-department, a kindergarten, and the commune health clinic, to four local households. The total amount collected from these transactions exceeded 545 million VND.

The funds obtained from these transactions were not deposited into the state budget. Instead, the suspects retained the money for internal management, kept it off budget records, and spent it without authorization from competent authorities.

Police determined that the unauthorized sale of land directly caused 545 million VND in damages to the households who purchased the land. These land plots are subject to reclamation under land law regulations.

Suspects Bach Chi Dien (left) and Hoang Manh Dung. Photo: Provided by police.

Police assessed the actions of Dien and Dung as "intentionally exceeding their delegated authority." They unilaterally carried out transactions to transfer public land and office headquarters. These assets are all located in Truong Son commune and were transferred to individuals in violation of regulations.

The investigation agency continues to consolidate evidence, expand the investigation, and clarify related details.