Ai Weiwei very happy to be free

Outspoken Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei said on Thursday he was “very happy to be free” on bail after more than two months in police custody during a major government crackdown on dissent.

Free at last

Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has been released on bail after nearly four months in detention. Chinese authorities have reported that Ai has confessed to tax evasion.

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His arrest led to international outcry and criticism of China’s crackdown on political dissidents, and many believe that the charges were fabricated.

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Police released the artist-activist after he confessed to tax evasion and because he suffers from a “chronic disease”, the official Xinhua news agency said late on Wednesday.

When asked about the conditions of his release, Ai said: “I’m on bail so I can’t give out any information. I can’t do interviews.”

The release of Ai, who was taken into custody at Beijing’s international airport on April 3 while trying to board a flight to Hong Kong, was somewhat unexpected as authorities had suggested he was involved in massive tax fraud.

Ai was released because of “his good attitude in confessing his crimes”, his willingness to repay the taxes he owes, and on medical grounds, Xinhua said. The artist has diabetes. - AFP