Ai Wei Wei released on bail

The renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Wei Wei has been released on bail after reportedly admitting charges of tax evasion and also because he is in poor health.

His sister Gao Ge confirmed his release and said he is in “okay” health and was going home to be with his wife.

Ai was arrested at Beijing Airport on April 3 and no details had been given as to his whereabouts.

The Xinhua state news agency quoted Beijing police as saying the artist had been freed “because of his good attitude in confessing his crimes as well as a chronic disease he suffers from”.

Family members and supporters said the outspoken 53-year-old artist’s arrest had nothing to do with tax evasion and was part of a crackdown on political dissents that intensified after overseas Chinese websites in February called for protests in China to emulate anti-authoritarian uprisings in the Arab world.

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