Guo associate freed after conviction overturned

Qu Long, a former close business partner of Guo Wengui, one of China's most-wanted fugitives, was released from prison after his embezzlement conviction was overturned because of insufficient evidence, Chinese media reported on Wednesday.

An investigation concluded that the charges against Qu were fabricated by Guo and the government officials he had bribed, Beijing News reported.

Qu was released on Sept 12 after being sentenced in April 2012 to 15 years in prison. He said he was forced to confess after being tortured by Guo's accomplice in the legal system, the report said.