Beijing ( CNN ) -- The Chinese government is ordering outspoken artist Ai Weiwei to pay 15 million yuan ( $ 2.3 million ) in back taxes , a move Ai calls `` retaliation against a dissident . '' Ai said that two representatives from the Beijing tax bureau visited him Tuesday and presented him with documents from the tax authority , ordering the company FAKE Cultural Development Ltd. -- registered by Ai 's wife Luqing -- to pay the taxes within 15 days . Ai , who designed the distinctive `` Bird 's Nest '' stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing , said he is not even the legal representative of the company , but that police warned him Monday that as the `` factual controlling person '' of the company , he 'd better prepare the money and pay it himself . `` They told me that 'The country said that you evade tax , then you evade tax . The country wo n't change the verdict , so do n't you ever think it will . There 's nothing you can do , ' '' Ai said . The artist was detained in April on grounds of tax evasion . However , his family and human rights advocates believe that the real reason for his imprisonment is his criticism of the Chinese government . Ai was released on bail in June for his good attitude and medical concerns , according to state-run news agency Xinhua . Local authorities held a closed hearing in July on the tax evasion allegations despite demands for an open hearing from Ai and the company 's lawyers . According to the artist , authorities also declined their demand to publish the accounting records and other evidence that lead to the tax evasion charge . Ai told CNN he was initially detained and imprisoned on charges of `` subversion of state power , '' but upon his release the charge was changed to tax evasion . `` This is against judicial law , and is unethical . How can a country use this way to try to silence dissidents ? '' he asked . Ai said he 'll consult with the lawyers on the next step , but so far there is no clear plan for him regarding how to pay the tax or if he is going to appeal . `` The verdict is not reasonable , but we have to obey , '' Ai said . `` If the government is not reasonable , no one can resist it . '' `` China always uses tax issues to cover up political issues . If the government keeps taking revenge on its dissidents with the law , it will only lead the country to its opposite side , '' Ai said .
The artist created the `` Bird 's Nest '' stadium for the Olympics . Ai says the tax charges are `` retaliation '' for his views . He 's not sure if he will appeal the order .