Ai Weiwei Released on Bail
by Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei – one of the most prominent artists from China, co-designer of the Olympic Stadium "Bird’s Nest" was released on bail on Wednesday, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Ai Weiwei
According to the Xinhua report written in English, the Police Department in Beijing released Ai Weiwei on bail because of his good attitude regarding the confession of the crimes he committed, and because he suffers from a chronic (artist diabetes and hypertension). The report also quotes police sources who say Weiwei is willing to pay the taxes he tried to avoid. According to the Chinese authorities, Beijing Cultural Development Fake Ltd., owned by Weiwei, tried to avoid paying ‘a large amount of taxes, destroying intentionally numerous accounting documents’.
Contacted on phone by the British newspaper ‘The Telegraph’, Ai Weiwei has confirmed that he was released: “I returned home. Please understand, however, that I can not give interviews.” The British journalists asked him about how he was treated during his detention and the conditions of his release. Weiwei avoided answers, but made it clear that in the near future there will be no court proceedings against him “I am released on bail for a year, that’s all I can say.” Asked if he would be allowed to continue using the Twitter account (the artist is known to be active in the online environment), Ai Weiwei has responded with a “tired laugh,” apologizing again that he can not say more .
“Ai Weiwei should be allowed complete freedom, not to be arrested at home illegally, as happened with so many dissidents released from arbitrary detention,” said Catherine Baber, deputy director of the Asia-Pacific group .
Ai Weiwei was detained by Chinese authorities on April 3rd, while preparing to board an aircraft bound for Hong Kong. At the time, authorities did not specify concrete reasons. The artist’s detention has sparked a wave of international reactions: U.S., UK and European Union have criticized the repression against dissidents and activists. Germany’s Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, contacted the Chinese ambassador on this issue. According to the Chinese government, Weiwei was arrested for economic crimes, although his family believes the real reason is the social and political activism practiced by the artist.
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