A Hong Kong businessman is suing police in Haifeng for 4 million yuan, saying he was wrongfully detained for more than four months and his real estate company forced to close for three years.
The action by Chow Wing, 60, who was held over fraud accusations but eventually acquitted, is seen as rare because most Hong Kong businessmen with trouble on the mainland are usually happy when their cases are resolved and don't dare to act against the authorities.
Chow was detained in July 2007 and held for 139 days before being bailed after the case was formally filed with the Haifeng County People's Procuratorate on November 29 that year.
The case was finally heard in March 2008 and Chow was acquitted two months later because the court found there was insufficient evidence, the Nan Fang Daily reported.
Haifeng's prosecution department appealed against the acquittal to the Shanwei Municipal Intermediate People's Court, which dismissed the appeal and maintained the original ruling in July 2008.
Chow filed suit against the police on May 7 this year, claiming compensation for his company's three-year closure during the case. He also demanded an apology from the police and an inquiry into whether any officers should be held responsible.
