Interrogated 50 times and watched 24 hours a day: Ordeal of Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei revealed for first time

By Wil Longbottom for MailOnline
Updated: 05:46 EST, 11 August 2011


Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei endured intense psychological pressure during 81 days in secret detention, a source has revealed.

In the first account of Ai's treatment since he was released in June, the source said the 54-year-old artist was interrogated more than 50 times by police as he was held in two secret locations.

The questioning focused on his purported role in the planned Arab Spring-inspired 'Jasmine Revolution' protests in China in February and his writings, which authorities claimed constituted subversion.

Psychological 'pressure': A source close to Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei says he was interrogated more than 50 times and watched constantly during his arrest by authorities

Psychological 'pressure': A source close to Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei says he was interrogated more than 50 times and watched constantly during his arrest by authorities

According to the source, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisal, Ai told police during his capture: 'What you're doing is illegal.

'They said "Do you know before Liu Shaoqi died, he was holding the constitution".

'Talk about inequality, there's no difference between the country that we are in now and the time of the Cultural Revolution.'

Liu, a former president, was purged and died in prison during the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution when paramount leader Mao Zedong turned against his comrades in the name of radical upheaval.

In the second location, where Ai was held for 67 days, the artist famed for his work on the 'Bird's Nest' Olympic Stadium in Beijing was watched by more than two police officers for 24 hours a day, with their faces often inches from his.

Outcry: The arrest and secret detention of Ai, pictured with his 'Sunflower Seeds' installation at the Tate Modern last year, sparked international condemnation

Outcry: The arrest and secret detention of Ai, pictured with his 'Sunflower Seeds' installation at the Tate Modern last year, sparked international condemnation

Famous: Ai worked on the 'Bird's Nest' Olympic Stadium used in the 2008 Beijing games

Famous: Ai worked on the 'Bird's Nest' Olympic Stadium used in the 2008 Beijing games

Ai had to ask the police officers for permission to drink water and use the toilet.

He was not allowed to speak and was watched over by the officers even when he slept.

They demanded he put his hands on top of the blanket, according to the source.

'It was immense psychological pressure,' they added.

Ai's disappearance in April as he tried to board a flight to Hong Kong, on supposed 'economic crimes', caused an international outcry.

Eight members of his staff, including his wife Lu Qing, were also arrested. Some of them have not yet been freed.

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