AO News Summary: Chinese government officially charges Ai Weiwei with tax evasion
AO News Summary: Chinese government officially charges Ai Weiwei with tax evasion: "
Ai Weiwei, Template (2007). Via the Wall Street Journal
This installation in Germany was made of doors from destroyed homes of the Ming and Quing dynasties.
On Friday, the New China News Agency reported that Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is being charged with tax evasion, based on allegedly destroying evidence at the Beijing Fake Cultural Development Ltd. An internationally acclaimed activist, the controversial 54-year-old was arrested in an airport last month without explanation. A week from last Sunday, Ai Weiwei was allowed a surveillanced visit to his wife, Lu Qing. At that time, his official whereabouts remained unknown, and reasons for holding Ai Weiwei had not been disclosed following his arrest. Chinese law states that after 37 days of unexplained detainment, police must either release or formally arrest the suspect. Based on the new allegations, a close friend to the artist suspects that Ai Weiwei will be imprisoned for at least seven years.
Ai Weiwei, Surveillance Camera (2010). Via Art Observed
more story and images after the break…
Ai Weiwei has been a known critic of Chinese politics, and is one of at least 23 Chinese dissidents who have been detained. Three have been officially arrested, and twelve or more are missing. Although the new tax evasion charge suggests that further action will be taken against the detained artist, it has been claimed that he receives his diabetes medication, and is not in physical danger.
Ai Weiwei’s studio being demolished in January 2011, via The Wall Street Journal
Ai Weiwei individually a negative history with Chinese authority. Late one night in 2009, police broke into his hotel before he could testify at a fellow dissident’s trial. The incident resulted in an emergency brain surgery while attending an exhibition in Munich one month later. Doctors drained a pool of blood from his brain, and said he would have died otherwise.
In 2010, Ai Weiwei was placed under house arrest in Beijing, to prevent him from attending a party in Shanghai, most likely to block debate and further dissidence. Two of his email accounts have been shut down. He was also prevented from attending a Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, honoring another imprisoned Chinese activist.
Thai-born artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, Where is Ai Wei Wei (2011). Via Art Observed
International artists and governing bodies alike have rallied to his aid. U.S. State Department Spokesman Mark Toner told the Wall Street Journal, “The detention of artist and activist Ai Weiwei is inconsistent with the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Chinese citizens, including China’s commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and we urge the Chinese Government to release him immediately.”
Foreign Ministers for England, Germany, and France also express similar sentiments.
Playing ‘Assassin’ outside Ai Weiwei’s Shanghai studio, via Art Observed
On a global scale, mistreatment of Ai Weiwei is ultimately a testament to larger issues of human rights and political freedom violations in China. Media concerns draw parallels to recent tensions in the Middle East, and fear for the future of Chinese political unrest.
-A. Bregman
Related Links
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei faces tax evasion charges [LA Times]
Company linked to Ai Weiwei accused to tax evasion [Financial Times]
Ai Weiwei charged with tax evasion [AsiaNews.it]
China Takes Dissident Artist Into Custody [New York Times]
International Calls Increase for China to Release Artist [Wall Street Journal]
AO Breaking News: Ai Weiwei in good health under “form of house arrest,” receives visit from his wife [Art Observed]
"
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Ai Weiwei, Template (2007). Via the Wall Street Journal
This installation in Germany was made of doors from destroyed homes of the Ming and Quing dynasties.
On Friday, the New China News Agency reported that Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is being charged with tax evasion, based on allegedly destroying evidence at the Beijing Fake Cultural Development Ltd. An internationally acclaimed activist, the controversial 54-year-old was arrested in an airport last month without explanation. A week from last Sunday, Ai Weiwei was allowed a surveillanced visit to his wife, Lu Qing. At that time, his official whereabouts remained unknown, and reasons for holding Ai Weiwei had not been disclosed following his arrest. Chinese law states that after 37 days of unexplained detainment, police must either release or formally arrest the suspect. Based on the new allegations, a close friend to the artist suspects that Ai Weiwei will be imprisoned for at least seven years.
Ai Weiwei, Surveillance Camera (2010). Via Art Observed
more story and images after the break…
Ai Weiwei has been a known critic of Chinese politics, and is one of at least 23 Chinese dissidents who have been detained. Three have been officially arrested, and twelve or more are missing. Although the new tax evasion charge suggests that further action will be taken against the detained artist, it has been claimed that he receives his diabetes medication, and is not in physical danger.
Ai Weiwei’s studio being demolished in January 2011, via The Wall Street Journal
Ai Weiwei individually a negative history with Chinese authority. Late one night in 2009, police broke into his hotel before he could testify at a fellow dissident’s trial. The incident resulted in an emergency brain surgery while attending an exhibition in Munich one month later. Doctors drained a pool of blood from his brain, and said he would have died otherwise.
In 2010, Ai Weiwei was placed under house arrest in Beijing, to prevent him from attending a party in Shanghai, most likely to block debate and further dissidence. Two of his email accounts have been shut down. He was also prevented from attending a Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, honoring another imprisoned Chinese activist.
Thai-born artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, Where is Ai Wei Wei (2011). Via Art Observed
International artists and governing bodies alike have rallied to his aid. U.S. State Department Spokesman Mark Toner told the Wall Street Journal, “The detention of artist and activist Ai Weiwei is inconsistent with the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Chinese citizens, including China’s commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and we urge the Chinese Government to release him immediately.”
Foreign Ministers for England, Germany, and France also express similar sentiments.
Playing ‘Assassin’ outside Ai Weiwei’s Shanghai studio, via Art Observed
On a global scale, mistreatment of Ai Weiwei is ultimately a testament to larger issues of human rights and political freedom violations in China. Media concerns draw parallels to recent tensions in the Middle East, and fear for the future of Chinese political unrest.
-A. Bregman
Related Links
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei faces tax evasion charges [LA Times]
Company linked to Ai Weiwei accused to tax evasion [Financial Times]
Ai Weiwei charged with tax evasion [AsiaNews.it]
China Takes Dissident Artist Into Custody [New York Times]
International Calls Increase for China to Release Artist [Wall Street Journal]
AO Breaking News: Ai Weiwei in good health under “form of house arrest,” receives visit from his wife [Art Observed]
"
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