Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has said he is 'very happy to be free' after being released on bail after more than two months in custody as part of a major government crackdown on dissent.
'I'm fine. I'm very happy to be free and I'm very happy to be back with my family,' said the 54-year-old.
His detention in early April sparked an outcry in the West and repeated calls for his release.
Police released the artist-activist after he confessed to tax evasion and because he suffers from a 'chronic disease', the official Xinhua news agency said yesterday.
When asked about the conditions of his release, Mr Ai said: 'I'm on bail so I can't give out any information. I can't do interviews.'
The release of Mr Ai, who was taken into custody at Beijing's international airport on 3 April while trying to board a flight to Hong Kong, was unexpected as authorities had suggested he was involved in massive tax fraud.
Mr Ai was released because of 'his good attitude in confessing his crimes', his willingness to repay the taxes he owes, and on medical grounds, Xinhua said. The artist has diabetes.
