BEIJING - Police in north-west China have made a rare apology to a man they surprised at home and dragged to jail for watching pornographic videos with his wife, state newspapers said.

The case, reported widely by newspapers, prompted intense debate among Chinese about privacy in a country struggling to balance traditional morality and personal freedom.

Four officers burst into the house of Mr Zhang Lei, 24, in the city of Yan'an on Aug 18 to confiscate pornographic videos after a tip-off, the Beijing Youth Daily said.

Authorities hauled Mr Zhang and his father to jail for spreading pornography and obstructing justice. Both were released the next day after the family paid 1,000 yuan (S$213), the newspaper said.

'We are very guilty for the pain we have caused. We are apologising to you now,' it reported on Friday quoting a police official in the city.

The authorities, bowing to growing media and public censure, had also agreed to give Mr Zhang 29,137 yuan and to issue a formal apology, the paper said. --Reuters

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