Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei is combating what he says is a politically motivated tax evasion charge.<br/> The 54-year-old artist has paid an 8.45 million yuan bond, worth about 1.3 million dollars, to make an appeal against the government charges.<br/> (SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) CHINESE ARTIST-ACTIVIST AI WEIWEI SPEAKING ON PHONE (OVERLAID WITH RECENT REUTERS PHOTOS OF AI):<br/> "Our next step is to request an administrative review and ask for an explanation for all the illegal aspects in the whole legal process."<br/> The outspoken activist's 81-day detention earlier this year sparked international outcry.<br/> The tax money was raised by his supporters so he can appeal against the charges and an additional 6.6. million yuan fine.<br/> The combined bill totals 15 million yuan - about 2.4 million dollars.<br/> (SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) CHINESE ARTIST-ACTIVIST AI WEIWEI SPEAKING ON PHONE (OVERLAID WITH RECENT REUTERS PHOTOS OF AI):<br/> "Ha, I think the chance of winning is probably zero. Because this is a political case from the very beginning. The so-called tax issue is just one of their ways to deal with a political case. So I think it is totally impossible to win this case."<br/> Ai is fighting the tax charge to keep his wife, who is the legal advisor for the firm accused of tax evasion, out of prison.<br/> Lindsey Parietti, Reuters
