Ai Weiwei to fight Chinese tax bill

BEIJING, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Artist Ai Weiwei, who helped design Beijing's "Bird's Nest" stadium, says he will challenge a $2.4 million tax bill from the Chinese government.

Ai, a celebrated artist and prominent critic of the Chinese government who was recently detained by the government on anti-propaganda allegations, was given 15 days to pay back taxes levied on his design business.

Ai denies he has evaded taxes and plans to fight the bill. He said he has donations to cover the $1.3 million collateral he must put up to allow him to start legal proceedings, the BBC reported.

Supporters say he was handed the tax bill because of his outspoken criticism of the Chinese government.