Suspect detained for 244 days awarded 54,000 yuan

A man placed under house arrest for 244 days without charge has been awarded 54,000 yuan ($8,600) in compensation in Guangzhou.

The Guangzhou Daily reported that the man, surnamed Wang from Sichuan province, was detained in September 2009 after he was suspected of being a burglar.

That month, a burglar stole cell phone and a wallet from a resident, surnamed Ye, in Guangzhou's Huangpu district.

Police detained a male suspect, surnamed Deng, five days later and found part of Ye's cell phone in Deng's home. But Deng said it was bought from Wang.

Police detained Wang in October 2009.

After Wang had been under house detention for 244 days, Guangzhou's Huangpu district procuratorate refused to prosecute him and freed him in May 2010 as it lacked sufficient evidence.

Wang filed a lawsuit asking for State compensation last April.