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t's been two weeks since renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei was detained by police in Beijing. Chinese authorities have announced Ai is being investigated for unspecified economic-related charges, but no one has heard from him since. Now Ai's supporters around the world have joined together, calling for Ai to be freed.

Protestors around the world joined a relay-demonstration on Sunday, calling on the Chinese regime to release the contemporary artist Ai Weiwei.

[...]

[Rica Yamagishi, Hong Kong Protestor]:
"I think he's a proud Chinese person but I also think he's ashamed of some of the things that the government is doing. So I think he represents that kind of activity and I think he's also an icon for some young people who don't necessarily agree with what the government does. So I think he's an icon, a symbol of that movement."

Ai Weiwei has not been heard from since Chinese authorities detained him at the Beijing international airport on April 3. Chinese state-run media and the Foreign Ministry later announced he's being investigated for economic-related crimes.

In London protestors at the Chinese Embassy say they believe Ai is being targeted for his activism. The dissident artist is known for being openly critical of the ruling Communist Party.

[Ben Lewis, Protestor]:
"The Chinese government is turning Ai Weiwei into the Nelson Mandela of China. He's been imprisoned. No charges have been filed yet. He's been accused of ridiculous crimes, like plagiarism and other 'economic crimes'. He's basically been imprisoned for political reasons. That's why I am protesting."

[...]

Ai has now been missing for two weeks. His family in China says authorities have so far not told them about any specific charges Ai is accused of.