Ai Weiwei will not possibly be able to travel to his exhibition to London. British authorities accuse him of having concealed his “criminal” history.
Ai Weiwei in an interview in Beijing (Archive) | © Andy Wong / AP / dpa
The UK has denied the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, referring to his detention four years ago in China, a business visa. In the rejection letter, the publications of the dissidents on the photo service Instagram, he is accused of having made false statements about his past delinquency in the visa application. “It is public knowledge that you have been convicted earlier in China,” it says in the letter. For this reason, it only a three-week stay may be permitted.
Ai Weiwei said to be “never been charged or convicted of a crime”. The artist was arrested at the airport of Beijing 2011. The company, which operates his studio, economic crimes had been accused. At a process but it did not. After 81 days in detention at an undisclosed location Ai Weiwei was released. Since then, his passport had been withheld. A week ago he had received it.
Ai Weiwei stated that he had tried to clarify the facts in telephone conversations with the embassy and the immigration authorities. “But the representatives insisted that their sources are correct, and refused to give a wrong decision.” The British authorities had referred to the news of his arrest and the tax charges against the company.
The British Embassy in Beijing responded to the allegations only with a reference to a statement by the Interior Ministry in London. Accordingly, the application “in accordance with the respective laws” has been edited. In addition, Ai Weiwei is a Visa for “whole period” granted between the travel dates that he had indicated in his application. Despite his misstatement in the visa application therefore constitutes an exception has been made.
Ai Weiwei accused the British authorities nevertheless to have him denied his rights as ordinary citizens. UK Thus place on the side of the Chinese government. Going with the decision “the position taken those who have human rights defenders inflicted suffering,” Ai Weiwei told.
The artist wanted to open his exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts from September 19 traveling to 13 December in London. Whether he will attend the event still is unclear.
Last year, Ai Weiwei presented in Berlin. The video shows his conceptual art.
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