BEIJING, May 30 (UPI) -- Chinese officials say they are reforming the criminal evidence system after the case of a man wrongfully imprisoned for a killing that never occurred.
Zhao Zuohai, who served 10 years in prison, was acquitted of murder earlier this month in Central Henan Province after the "victim," Zhao Zhenshang, showed up alive, the state-run news service Xinhua reported. Three former police officers were arrested for allegedly torturing Zhao Zuohai for his confession, the report said.
Xinhua said five Chinese ministries and judiciary agencies released two sets of legal rules jointly Sunday. One consists of principles and detailed rules for evaluating evidence in cases involving the death penalty; the other sets up procedures for examining evidence and excluding evidence obtained in an illegal way -- such as torture.
Among other things, the new rules allow a defendant to request an investigation into whether his or her testimony was obtained improperly, Xinhua said.
