Woman sues Chinese officials for detention

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CHANGSHA, China, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- A woman jailed in China for demanding harsher punishment for the rape and prostitution of her daughter has taken those involved to court, officials say.

Tang Hui had been sentenced without trial to 18 months in a labor camp in August 2012 for "disturbing social order" after she demonstrated for stricter punishment of those found guilty of raping her then 11-year-old daughter and forcing her into prostitution, China's official Xinhua news agency reported Wednesday.

A public outcry forced officials to release Tang eight days later.

In her complaint filed with the Intermediate People's Court in Yongzhou, Tang demanded $235 in compensation from the camp for infringing on her personal freedom, another $160 for psychological damage and a written apology.

She also asked for a change of venue so Yongzhou authorities could not interfere with the outcome of the case.