Wrongly imprisoned need more support on release

Zhao Zuohai at his rented house in Shangqiu, Central China's Henan province, July 21, 2015. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Zhao Zuohai, a 63-year-old farmer in Central China's Henan province who served 11 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit before being freed in 2010, has reportedly lost almost all of the 650,000 yuan ($105,000) he received in compensation. A pyramid selling scheme, a failed hostel, and an investment fraud have cost Zhao most of his money and his wife's faith in their marriage, leaving him no choice but to "farm again or beg on the streets". Comments:

As a victim of past injustices, Zhao should not be dragged into a public discussion again about how he has used his compensation. Whatever has happened in his life since his release is no longer the public's concern. The excessive attention toward how he spent his money has actually made the farmer a consumer good for public opinion.

Xinhua Daily Telegraph, July 23

Zhao's tragedy, whether in the past or today, does not deserve mockery. Had justice come earlier and freed him from jail - not 11 years after he was wrongly convicted - he would not be out of sync with the times and struggling to figure out how to live in the modern world after a long absence.

Beijing Youth Daily, July 23

For those who are wrongly convicted and end up behind bars, their compensation should not be just money. It calls for more humane support to help them properly rehabilitate into society.

Legal Daily, July 22

What happened to Zhao after his release shows that society has changed and become too "complicated" for him after more than a decade in prison. The fraudsters were able to take advantage of this by exploiting the loopholes in supervision and enforcement.

Qi Lu Evening News, July 14