Shanghai apologizes for entrapping a van driver

Shanghai, October 26 (Gasgoo.com) Shanghai's Pudong New Area government made a public apology today for entrapping a company van driver and accusing him of operating an illegal taxi, Xinhua News and local media reported.

On October 14, Sun Zhongjie, a 19-year-old newcomer to Shanghai, was caught and forced by so-called traffic officers to admit that he was operating an illegal cab and to pay a fine of 10,000 yuan ($1,450). Sun said he had only acted out of kindness in helping a young "passenger" who begged him for a ride.

His case attracted nationwide media attention when angry Sun cut off one of his fingers to prove his innocence. Later investigation found the former Nanhui District transport supervision team used wrongful methods for improper evidence collection -- using the professional "passenger" as a bait.

Today's about-turn by the Shanghai municipality contradicted its earlier findings on October 20 that cleared transport supervisors of any mishandling in Sun's case.