Fugitive Vietnamese real estate developer accused of revealing ‘state secrets’ detained in Singapore
Phan Van Anh Vu was detained in Singapore at the Tuas border checkpoint as he tried to leave for Malaysia
A fugitive Vietnamese intelligence officer wanted in his homeland for allegedly disclosing state secrets has been arrested in Singapore, his lawyers said on Tuesday.
Phan Van Anh Vu, who is also a property developer, was detained on Thursday at a border checkpoint as he attempted to cross into Malaysia.
Police in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang said in recent days that Vu, 42, was being sought for “deliberately revealing state secrets” but gave no further details.
His lawyer Remy Choo said he had met Vu’s family, who had confirmed that “apart from being a property developer, he was also a senior officer in the Vietnamese intelligence services”.
“My client’s family are concerned that there is an imminent risk of repatriation,” Choo said.
“I can confirm he has applied for asylum in a European country but I cannot reveal which country this is.”
Another of Vu’s lawyers, Foo Cheow Ming, confirmed his arrest. His lawyers have not yet been allowed to see him.