SHANGQIU, China, May 12 (UPI) -- Authorities in China's Henan province have admitted a villager jailed for murder 10 years ago confessed to a crime he didn't commit.
Zhao Zuohai was cleared of all charges after the neighbor he pleaded guilty to killing reappeared following a decade-long absence, China Daily reported Wednesday.
Zhao Zuohai was tortured before pleading guilty to the murder of Zhao Zhenshang.
A headless body found in the village in 1999 was misidentified as Zhao Zhenshang and police arrested Zhao Zuohai after they were told the two men had fought.
"They beat my head with a long stick," Zhao said. "They asked me to drink something that made me really sleepy and set off fireworks above my head."
Authorities have admitted torturing Zhao to obtain a confession.
Zhao says he is seeking compensation of at least $146,400 from the government.
During his absence his house was damaged and his wife remarried.
