Chinese Authorities Release Dissident Artist Ai Weiwei

A prominent Chinese artist and activist who has tackled his government's corruption and repression has his freedom once again.

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has been released from custody after pleading guilty to a charge of tax evasion, ending nearly three months of detention that prompted worldwide condemnation of the Chinese government and support for the activist. Weiwei, an internationally renowned multimedia artist who contributed to the Bird's Nest stadium for the 2008 Olympics, was arrested April 3 at Beijing's airport as part of a crackdown the Chinese government unleashed against dissidents and artists. He had been held at a house under state surveillance, but there were concerns that his health was deteriorating due to his diabetes and high blood pressure. Weiwei was allegedly granted his freedom after confessing that his company, Beijing Fake Cultural Development, had failed to file taxes and had destroyed financial documents.