Growing Concern Over Fate Of China's Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei

Western nations and rights groups are voicing growing concern over the fate of Ai Weiwei, a prominent Chinese artist and government critic who disappeared after being taken into police custody.

He has not been heard from since he was detained at Beijing's airport as he prepared to board a flight to Hong Kong on April 3.

The United States and the European Union have joined Amnesty International and other rights groups in calling for his release.

His detention came amid a crackdown on dissent, with scores of dissidents, activists, and rights lawyers rounded up in recent weeks in China.

compiled from agency reports