A report by Chinese police said a company controlled by Ai Weiwei, one of China's best-recognized contemporary artists, has evaded a big amount of tax payment which indicated the first economic crime after his arrest and has triggered an international outcry.

Ai's sister Gao Ge, in a statement, said the family had not been legitimately notified about the tax accusations and declared it as yet another way by the police to justify Ai’s arrest, who is already under residential surveillance.

The Beijing Fake Cultural Development Limited, which has helped produce Ai's internationally celebrated art and designs, was held for evading taxes and destroying accounting documents, the police said.

Ai’s arrest witnessed dissent from many rights activists and supporters. Overseas Chinese websites also spread calls for protests in the country. The artist’s sister said Ai was not responsible for the Beijing Fake Cultural Development Limited and stressed that neither the family nor his wife Lu Qing had been notified.

Lu Qing said she had been notified by police that she could meet her husband on Sunday.

Liu Zhen’gang, the organization manager, and the company accountant were also arrested.

AI China