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Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei picked up a receipt Wednesday for the $1.3 million bond he paid a day earlier to fight tax evasion charges.
The government charged Ai with failing to pay $2.4 million in back taxes and said he could only appeal if he paid $1.3 million into a government bank account, which he did on Tuesday.
Earlier in the year, Ai was arrested and held at a secret location for 81 days. When he was released, he was slapped with the tax evasion charges.
The artist says the charges are politically motivated... punishment for his outspoken criticism against the Chinese government.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DISSIDENT ARTIST AI WEIWEI SAYING:
"More or less, like I was a hostage half year ago. Now I pay the ransom, and I feel being robbed. But, you know, officially."
Ai's lawyers say the court is required by law to issue an administrative review of the case within 60 days.
The ordeal surrounding the outspoken artist has garnered national and world wide attention.
The money Ai deposited to launch what could be a futile appeal was donated by supporters, some of whom threw cash over the fence of his home.
Julie Noce, Reuters
