Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei has claimed that he was attacked by plainclothes policemen. Ai, who was nominated for an Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award in 2009, says he and an assistant were on their way to report a previous assault when they were set upon by up to 10 men, who tore their clothes and attempted to take their photographic equipment.
The 10th annual Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards honour those who, often at great personal risk, have given voice to issues and stories from around the globe that would otherwise have passed unnoticed
(more…)
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is reported to have had brain surgery after being beaten by police.
Read more here
Ai Weiwei, a high-profile Chinese government critic has said he and 11 others were detained by police in a hotel today to prevent them from attending the trial of an activist Tan Zuoren who investigated the deaths of thousands of schoolchildren in last year’s earthquake, where they were due to give defence evidence. He said he had been confined to his room by the police and that he did not know when he would be released. Weiwei, who was a consultant for the Beijing Olympics Bird’s Nest stadium, said police in the southwestern city of Chengdu also assaulted him and another supporter who tried to attend. Read more here