Vietnam: Military court announces imprisonment to ex-deputy defence minister over land scandal

Vietnam's military court has sentenced four years imprisonment to a former deputy defence minister who was accused of allowing three plots of land to be illegally transferred to private investors from the navy in the city of Ho Chi Minh. 

According to the state media, Navy's admiral Nguyen Van Hien was found guilty of "lack of responsibility", transferred nearly 7,300 sq meters plots for 45-49 years. The plots were transferred to construct office buildings. 

Vietnam's Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong urged a probe against corruption that has led several high-ranking ministers and politicians to jails. One among the jailed is a member of the one-party state's ruling Politburo.

"Hien's activity meant the Navy lost the use of the plots for 49 years, causing losses of nearly 940 billion dong ($40 million) to the state," the Ministry of Public Security said.

The court has also sentenced four other military officers for the scandal. Their punishment varies from four to nine years based on their involvement in the case. 

In April, Hied was stripped of his party credentials despite being a deputy defence minister from 2009 to 2016.