Multimillion tax bill for Ai Weiwei

Chinese authorities yesterday ordered artist Ai Weiwei to pay 15 million yuan ($2.36 million) in alleged back taxes in what the vocal rights activist called an effort to "crush" him.
The tax bill comes after Ai was released in June from 81 days in secretive police custody, a detention authorities said was over tax evasion but during which he said he was repeatedly interrogated over his calls for human rights.
"They gave a written notice today... there was no explanation whatsoever. We questioned where this figure came from -- they couldn't give a clear answer," Ai told AFP.
"The notice said I have 15 days to pay. That's about one million a day... if you don't pay they could put you in jail, maybe up to seven years. I really have no idea."
Ai, 54, a globally renowned conceptual artist who is famous for his part in designing Beijing's "Bird's Nest" Olympic Stadium, said he may be able to appeal against the tax bill, but only after it is paid.
Last month Ai was named the world's most powerful art figure by influential British magazine Art Review.
Ai called the tax an "injustice" and alleged it was a political move by the government to silence him.
"This is a signal that the state can seize anybody who has a different political opinion. They use tax or whatever reason to make them look bad or to crush them."
Ai said the tax was being charged to him as "the actual controller" of the Beijing FAKE Cultural Development Ltd, a company where he works but which is owned by his wife.

Ai's problems with the authorities started when he began investigating the collapse of schools in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and a 2010 fire at a Shanghai high-rise that killed dozens.