Ai Wei Wei is back home after more than two months in detention. The Chinese activist and artist has been released on bail, after pleading guilty to charges of tax evasion, according to state news agencies.

He dismissed reports of illness, but he did not seem keen to talk about his ordeal.

A strong critic of the Chinese leadership, Ai Wei Wei’s arrest at Beijing Airport in April led to a global campaign for his release.

There was international concern about claims that he was being held in secret without access to a lawyer.

His release coincides with an imminent visit by Chinese premier Wen Jiabao to London and Germany – both countries with strong connections to the artist.

Three of his contacts were arrested at the same time. There is still no news on them.

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