China: Wrongfully imprisoned for 20 years, compensated over 9 billion

A Chinese man has been awarded more than 2 million yuan (over 9 billion VND) in compensation for being wrongfully imprisoned for 20 years.

Mr. Chen Man, now in his 50s, was sentenced to life in prison by a court in Hainan province, southern China, in November 1994 for murder.

Chen Man was exonerated after 20 years of wrongful imprisonment. (Photo: StraitsTimes)

After a series of appeals, even filing a petition with China's supreme court, Chen was finally acquitted and released in February 2016 due to "lack of evidence".

On May 13, the Hainan Provincial Court agreed to compensate Chen about 2.75 million yuan (9.4 billion VND) for the loss of personal freedom and mental suffering he has suffered over the past 20 years, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

Chen initially demanded compensation of more than 9.66 million yuan and asked the court to issue a formal apology in local and national media.

“I had to accept the money,” Chen told the Legal Evening News on May 13. “We felt sorry but knew it had to be based on the National Compensation Law.”

According to VOV