A middle-school student was released by police on Monday morning after a seven-day detention for writing an online post, Beijing News reported.

The boy, 16, surnamed Yang from Zhangjiachuan Hui autonomous county, Gansu province, was taken into custody on Sept 17 after police found that he had encouraged others to protest against a police report regarding a man's death.

The police said that the man, surnamed Gao, died after falling from a height on the morning of Sept 12. Yang accused the police of telling lies on his online post.

The post was forwarded many times and caused social unease.

He was detained by the police for provocative behavior, the Gansu provincial department of public security announced on Monday.

The detention attracted widespread public comment and many netizens accused the local government of an abuse of power.

Given the fact that Yang is an adolescent and he has expressed regret for his conduct, the police decided to release him, the Gansu provincial department of public security said.