ADVERTISEMENT

Government returns dissident artist Ai Weiwei's passport after four years

Ai said he is legally allowed to travel outside China, but that will depend on whether other countries issue him visas.

China returns dissident artist Ai Weiwei's passport after four years

Chinese dissident artist and free speech advocate Ai Weiwei said that authorities in Beijing returned his passport on Wednesday, more than four years after it was confiscated following his 81-day secret detention.

Ai, 58, told Reuters by telephone that police from the Exit and Entry Bureau, which issues passports to Chinese citizens, called him on Wednesday morning to collect his passport, which he now has in hand.

"I'm not surprised because in reality, they've said they would return me my passport for many years," Ai said. "They've never said they would never give it to me, except that it has dragged on for four years."

The Ministry of Public Security, which runs the Exit and Entry Bureau, did not respond to a faxed request for comment.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ai's supporters in the West have called on their governments to lobby China to return Ai's passport to him. Ai has not been able to attend teaching engagements and exhibitions in Germany, the United States and England.

Ai said the first country he would want to travel to is Germany, where he would like to have a medical check-up and visit his son, who has been living in Berlin for 11 months.

In 2011, Ai was detained without any charge and held mainly in solitary confinement, sparking an international outcry. A court later upheld a $2.4 million fine against Ai for tax evasion.

The world-renowned artist maintains the charges from the tax evasion case were trumped up in retaliation for his criticism of the government.

In November 2013, the artist started protesting his travel ban by putting flowers in the basket of a bicycle outside his Beijing studio and home. On Twitter, he said he would do it every day until he "regains the right to travel freely". On Wednesday, he said it had been 600 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Police did not give Ai "any additional conditions or warnings" for the return of his passport, he said, adding that it was "very relaxed".

Ai said he could not say why authorities decided to return it to him now, but he took it to mean "there aren't any problems". He said the government surveillance has eased substantially and that he was confident that authorities would allow him to return if he left.

"Now that they've let me go abroad, I believe they will let me return home," he said.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Sanwo-Olu doesn't want you to blame govt for current hardship in the country

Sanwo-Olu doesn't want you to blame govt for current hardship in the country

Okuama: Slain officers left behind 3 pregnant widows, 21 orphans – Lagbaja

Okuama: Slain officers left behind 3 pregnant widows, 21 orphans – Lagbaja

Joke Silva describes neglect of Lagos theatres as sad development

Joke Silva describes neglect of Lagos theatres as sad development

Police Commissioner arrested 2,329 suspects within his first 100 days in Lagos

Police Commissioner arrested 2,329 suspects within his first 100 days in Lagos

Wike impressed with quality, pace of ongoing road constructions in Kuje

Wike impressed with quality, pace of ongoing road constructions in Kuje

Sanwo-Olu excited as Dangote makes massive food donations to Lagos residents

Sanwo-Olu excited as Dangote makes massive food donations to Lagos residents

The world wastes over 1bn meals a day while 783m people go hungry - Report

The world wastes over 1bn meals a day while 783m people go hungry - Report

Tinubu awards slain soldiers MON; scholarships for children, houses for families

Tinubu awards slain soldiers MON; scholarships for children, houses for families

BREAKING: No plan to crash petrol, diesel prices - NNPC debunks rumour

BREAKING: No plan to crash petrol, diesel prices - NNPC debunks rumour

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT