Ai Weiwei suspected of tax evasion, HK paper says

Famed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who disappeared earlier this month and is believed to be in police custody, is being investigated for allegedly dodging taxes and destroying accounting documents, a Hong Kong newspaper reported Thursday.

The Beijing-backed Wen Wei Po newspaper quoted unnamed sources as saying Ai is suspected of evading large amounts of tax, though no exact figure was given, and destroying papers that might have been used as evidence against him.

The report, which follows several editorials in mainland newspapers attacking Ai, said he was also being investigated for alleged bigamy because he has a young son with a woman other than his wife and is suspected of spreading pornography online.

It said Ai was cooperating with authorities after initially refusing to do so when he was first taken into custody on April 3.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has confirmed Ai is suspected of economic crimes. Police have yet to notify Ai's family of his whereabouts, or alleged crimes.

Ai's family says he is being targeted for his rights activism and outspoken criticism of the government.