[JURIST] Chinese prosecutors have charged a police officer with negligent conduct in connection with the death of a suspect that occurred after a 21-hour interrogation, according to state media reports published Monday. The suspect, Tan Gangshan, was arrested on unknown charges after police saw him "looking suspicious" while riding a motorcycle. The autopsy report concluded in part that "body wounds, fatigue, starvation, high temperature and mental stress" contributed to Tan's death. Local police have paid compensation to Tan's family for the death.

In May 2005, China announced increased efforts [JURIST report] to crack down on Chinese police officials' use of improper interrogation methods on criminal suspects, ordering prosecutors to question suspects to ensure they were not mistreated while under interrogation. Public outrage over Chinese police brutality was sparked by the case of She Xianglin [CECC backgrounder], a man falsely jailed for 11 years for his wife's murder who claimed he was tortured until he confessed to the killing. She was released [China Daily report] after his wife turned up alive. Reuters has more.