Chinese artist Ai Weiwei free, but silenced

BEIJING - China's Foreign Ministry says artist and government critic Ai Weiwei, whose disappearance in April sparked an international outcry, has been barred from leaving Beijing for one year after being released from police detention.

Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Thursday that the artist was released after allegedly confessing to evading "huge amounts" of tax and destroying accounting documents. He said the artist has agreed to repay the money owed.

Ai emerged Wednesday after being held for three months at an undisclosed location. Though home again, he has said he is forbidden to speak publicly.

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  Activist artist Ai Weiwei opens the gate to talk to journalists gathered outside his home in Beijing, China, Thursday, June 23, 2011. (AP / Ng Han Guan)

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  Activist artist Ai Weiwei gestures while speaking to journalists gathered outside his home in Beijing, China, Thursday, June 23, 2011. (AP / Ng Han Guan)Activist artist Ai Weiwei gestures while speaking to journalists gathered outside his home in Beijing, China, Thursday, June 23, 2011. (AP / Ng Han Guan)

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  Journalists attempt to interview activist artiste Ai Weiwei outside his home after he returned from detention in Beijing, China, Wednesday, June 22, 2011. (AP / Ng Han Guan)