Dao was detained by Gia Lai Provincial Police on 7/8 for property extortion.

Pham Quang Dao at the time of his arrest. Photo: Ngoc Oanh

Pham Quang Dao at the time of his arrest. Photo: Ngoc Oanh

According to the investigation, Dao purchased a plot of land in Gao commune in 2009 for 170 million VND. He received a land use rights certificate issued by the People's Committee of Pleiku City. In 2017, the city government discovered the land plot had been granted improperly and issued a notice to revoke the certificate.

Dao demanded 170 million VND from the original landowner but was unsuccessful. He then turned to a land officer at the People's Committee of Gao commune, claiming the officer "must take responsibility for the mistake". Dao demanded the officer retrieve 500 million VND from the original landowner and give it to him. If not, the officer should pay him 250 million VND. Dao threatened to sue the land officer if his demands were not met.

After the land officer was appointed deputy director of the Pleiku branch of the Land Registration Office, Dao repeatedly called, texted, and met with him to demand money.

Yesterday afternoon, Dao visited the deputy director's office to collect 250 million VND. After writing a receipt and pledging not to file a complaint, he was arrested by the police.

Tran Hoa