Chinese artist supposedly held for 'economic crimes'

Chinese police have begun investigating the detained artist, Ai Weiwei, for suspected economic crimes, according to China's state news agency, Xinhua, which reported the investigation but gave no other details.

It was the first official update on Ai Weiwei’s fate, since he was detained by officials at Beijing airport on Sunday, the BBC reports. No comment was forthcoming at the time.

Ai Weiwei, who co-designed the Beijing Olympic stadium known as the "Bird's Nest", is often described as China's most famous contemporary artist. However he is also one of the Chinese government's fiercest critics, complaining about a lack of basic rights and freedoms - often incorporating these political themes into his work.

Xinhua's one-line English-language report on the investigation later appeared to have been removed from its website, and any links directing users towards the website appear broken and unresponsive.

In the last couple of months, dozens of activists have ended up in custody or house arrest, none of them as open in their criticism as Ai Weiwei.

Ai Weiwei has supporters around the world - including these protesters in Hong Kong

The news that he is being investigated for economic crimes may signal that China's authorities will seek to characterise him as a common criminal, rather than a political prisoner, our correspondent says.

Following the arrest, Police also seized computers and money at his home and his wife, Lu Qing, told reporters the raid involved more than 40 policemen going in and out of their home.

She says she has heard nothing since.

"I am waiting for news," she said. "I so far have no information from the authorities about the fate of Ai Weiwei."

"He felt a premonition that he would be detained," she added.

She is also concerned for his health, saying the 53-year old artist takes medicine for a range of illnesses.

Foreign governments have called for Ai Weiwei's immediate release.

The US Ambassador Jon Huntsman mentioned the artist among other activists who "challenge the Chinese government to serve the public in all cases and at all times".

Human rights groups say China's current crackdown on dissent is a response to protests in the Middle East and North Africa.

Human Rights Watch said up to 25 lawyers, activists and bloggers had been either detained, arrested or had disappeared. Dozens more had been subjected to harassment, it said.

Ai Weiwei currently has an exhibition at the Tate Modern gallery in London, displaying 100 million porcelain objects that look like sunflower seeds.