3050<br/> Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei picked up a receipt Wednesday for the $1.3 million bond he paid a day earlier to fight tax evasion charges.<br/> The government charged Ai with failing to pay $2.4 million in back taxes and said he could only appeal if he paid $1.3 million into a government bank account, which he did on Tuesday.<br/> Earlier in the year, Ai was arrested and held at a secret location for 81 days. When he was released, he was slapped with the tax evasion charges.<br/> The artist says the charges are politically motivated... punishment for his outspoken criticism against the Chinese government.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (English) DISSIDENT ARTIST AI WEIWEI SAYING:<br/> "More or less, like I was a hostage half year ago. Now I pay the ransom, and I feel being robbed. But, you know, officially."<br/> Ai's lawyers say the court is required by law to issue an administrative review of the case within 60 days.<br/> The ordeal surrounding the outspoken artist has garnered national and world wide attention.<br/> The money Ai deposited to launch what could be a futile appeal was donated by supporters, some of whom threw cash over the fence of his home.<br/> Julie Noce, Reuters
