Shanghai, Jan 21 (IANS): A Chinese court has begun hearing a case in which a farmer is suing city authorities, accusing them of forcing him into a psychiatric hospital and restricting his personal freedom.

Liu Gang, who ran a pig farm in Shandong province's Linyi city, said he was admitted to a hospital's mental illness unit Sep 19, 2008, Shanghai Daily reported.

He said it happened as he had been trying to file a complaint over the sudden deaths of his pigs following epidemic control measures by local authorities, the court heard. Liu said he was released from the hospital Oct 8, 2008. But he was sent there again Jan 6, 2009, after he sought an "explanation" from the bureau of complaints and civil affairs over his first admission into the mental asylum.

His second stay lasted 36 days.

The defendant and plaintiff argued Friday if Liu's personal freedom was illegally restricted and whether he suffered from mental illness. Both parties agreed that Liu take psychiatric tests.