Art News

Multimillion dollar tax case against China’s Ai Weiwei to get review by authorities

BEIJING (AP).- Outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei said Friday that Beijing tax authorities have agreed to review their ruling that he pay a multimillion dollar fine for alleged tax evasion. The internationally acclaimed conceptual artist said tax officials informed him of the decision Wednesday by telephone and said the review would be completed within two months. Ai said he was hopeful that the case would be handled earnestly and transparently. “How they handle this relates to issues of China’s rule of law and the safety of its people,” Ai said. “It has very broad implications. If they can’t resolve this issue very fairly and carefully, it will be bring harm to this society’s justice system.” Ai was detained for three months last year during an overall crackdown on dissent. Following his release, authorities demanded his design company pay 15 million yuan ($2.4 million) in back taxes and fines, a penalty interpreted by activists as punishment for his criticism