(VOVworld) – The Court of First Instance has announced verdicts for 5 defendants, all former local officials, on charges of “destroying citizens’ property, showing irresponsibility and causing serious consequences” in relation to law violations on land use and reclamation in Vinh Quang commune, Tien Lang district, Hai Phong city. After 3 days of working, on Wednesday, the court said that the case was extremely serious and of great public concern. The Jury Board returned a verdict of 30 months imprisonment on Nguyen Van Khanh, former Vice Chairman of Tien Lang district’s People’s Committee, a 24-month suspended sentence for Pham Xuan Hoa, former Head of the district’s Office for Natural Resources and Environment, 24 months of suspended sentence for  Le Thanh Liem, former Chairman of Vinh Quang commune’s People’s Committee and 15 months of suspended sentence for Pham Dang Hoan, former Secretary of Vinh Quang commune’s Party Committee, for destroying citizens’ property. Le Van Hien, former Chairman of Tien Lang district’s People’s Committee, was sentenced to a 15-months suspended sentence for  showing irresponsibility and causing serious consequences. The verdict ruled that the defendants have to compensate all the victims for their property-losses.

From left to right, defendants Liem, Hoa, Khanh, Hoan, and Hien at the court hearing (Photo: VNA)