Beijing prosecutors have withdrawn libel charges against a reporter who made online claims about a senior official's alleged misconduct because of insufficient evidence.
The people's procuratorate of Dongcheng district on Tuesday said the decision to drop the case was consistent with China's Criminal Procedural Law (2012 Amendment), reported China Youth Daily.
In July 2013, Liu, who worked with the Guangzhou-based New Express, accused Ma Zhengqi, a deputy head of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, of "serious misconduct" that caused losses of State-owned assets on his Weibo account.
He had previously accused other officials, but said that he provided evidence from reliable sources.
Liu was detained by the Beijing police for "making and spreading rumors" in August 2013, and was arrested on charges of libel the following month. Liu was charged in December 2013.
A report made in 2013 by the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau said that Liu extorted 650,000 yuan ($101,920) from officials, which had disrupted the Internet and the credibility of the government.
Zhou Ze, the reporter's lawyer, told the Global Times Tuesday that Liu's actions did not constitute crime since "the accusation was not deliberately fabricated and Liu did not try to spread any incorrect information on purpose."
"I will seek State compensation for Liu because I think he did not spread false information and his family's reputation was affected," Zhou said.
