The Hanoi People’s Court at a first instance trial on December 11 handed down a five-year sentence on former Hanoi Mayor Nguyen Duc Chung, charged with 'appropriating the State’s secret documents'. 

Former Hanoi Mayor Nguyen Duc Chung (in the middle, first row) in the courtroom.

Three of Chung’s accomplices who were police officers were also given sentences ranging from 18 to 54 months.

The court issued the ruling after finding that the four had violated Article 337 of the 2015 Penal Code regarding the appropriation of the State’s secret documents.

Chung was said to be associated with a smuggling and money laundering case at Nhat Cuong Trading and Technical Service Co. Ltd.

He asked his accomplices to get and adjust some of the case’s documents classified as State confidential.

The case is being held under the supervision of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption.

According to the indictment, the four had confessed their wrongdoing during investigations.

The trial took place behind closed doors.