Chinese journalist Liu Hu has told his media colleagues that he will continue to crusade against corrupt officials after serving a year in prison.

Liu was released after paying bail. On Thursday, he was told that the case against him has been dropped because there is not enough credible evidence.

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The South China Morning Post reported that Liu was a Gungzhou New Express journalist two years ago when he posted articles on the internet accusing some high ranking government officials of being corrupt.

Many were surprised when Liu was put under arrest at a time when Chinese President Xi Jinping was embarking on a crusade to get rid of corrupt officials.

Political observers believe that Liu may had fallen victim to another government campaign at that time which sought to actively discourage ordinary Chinese citizens against posting online comments or articles criticizing state policies and officials.

The freed journalist, however, said that a public official that he named in his internet post may have had something to with his arrest and detention.

Two of the alleged corrupt officials pointed out by Liu's online posts are currently under investigation.

Some critics doubt the facts in Liu's internet articles, but the journalist remains firm that the what he posted was the truth and his freedom can attest to that.

The lawyer, who defended Liu, Zhou Ze, said the government prosecutors that dropped the case are silent on the accuracy of his client's online articles posted two years ago.

Liu was charged with defamation, a charge he is not guilty of, according to Zhou. The lawyer believes that his client merely posted the truth and was in his rights. He is hopeful that government will instead focus their efforts on the officials mentioned in client's online post.

Zhou adds that the police, who arrested Liu, may face charges of abuse of power since state prosecutors did not agree that Liu commited a crime.

Liu is planning to ask the government for compensation because of his unjust one year stay in prison, according to Zhou. He is still a journalist but currently working for another newspaper, Changjiang Times.

TagsLiu Hu, China anti-graft drive, chinese corruption, Gungzhou New Express, Chinese journalist, China reporter, Chinese graft expose, Chinese anti-graft campaign, China anti-graft watchdog