On 9/12, Hanoi City Police announced that the investigative police agency had initiated legal proceedings and temporarily detained Nguyen Van Thien, 27 years old, residing in O Dien commune, to investigate the act of public disturbance.

Thien, known as a "tycoon", allegedly signaled an assault on a male employee at a coffee shop in Times City urban area, Vinh Tuy ward. Police previously arrested Nguyen Long Vu, 23 years old, from Bac Ninh province, for investigation into the same act.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of 17/9, when Thien, referred to as "tycoon", entered a coffee shop in Times City urban area, Vinh Tuy ward, with Vu and several others. The establishment had a "no smoking" policy, displayed with warning signs. Despite this, Thien, dressed in a suit, shirt, and tie, smoked a pipe while conversing.

'Tycoon' Nguyen Van Thien (far left) at the time of his arrest. Photo: Provided by police

Noticing the disturbance to others, a staff member reminded the customers two times not to smoke inside the shop. After the third reminder from the staff, Thien raised his hand, pointing skyward, implying a signal. Immediately, Vu stood up, walked to the cashier counter, and punched the employee two times in the face.

The 28-year-old victim fell to the floor. Thien once again raised his hand, pointing skyward, and shouted, "Stop, stop, stop". Vu ceased his actions and returned to his seat. The group then left. Security cameras inside the shop recorded the entire incident. The owner posted the footage on social media before reporting it to the police.

The assaulted young man is the owner's son and had been working as a cashier there for over one year. On the morning of 19/9, Thien and his relatives visited the coffee shop to apologize, but the owner (the victim's mother) refused to speak with them and asked them to leave the premises.

Footage of Thien signaling with his hand recorded by security cameras. Photo: Screenshot from video

At the investigative agency, both men stated that "Thien did not instruct Vu" to go to the cashier counter and assault the victim. Thien claimed he only told Vu to "go see who made insulting remarks" after being reminded not to smoke in the shop. He added that upon hearing sounds of a fight, he raised his hand and said "stop", with the intention of intervening between the two sides, after which Vu stopped and returned to his seat.