Beijing ( CNN ) -- Outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei paid 8.45 million yuan ( $ 1.3 million ) for a charge against his wife 's company to prevent her from going to jail , he told CNN Tuesday . Ai told CNN that if the tax charge went unpaid then his wife , the legal representative of Fake Cultural Ltd. , would have been sent to jail . When news of the tax charges broke earlier this month , there was a huge outpouring of donations from fellow activists and supporters wanting to ease the 15 million yuan ( $ 2.3 million ) debt . Ai told CNN that the donations grew to more than 9 million yuan , but he only used a portion of it for this payment , which he hopes will give him the right to an administrative review . Speaking to CNN by phone Tuesday , Ai said he is not optimistic about the possible results of any review . `` We do n't expect any justice to come after the administrative review because there was no justice from the beginning when I was taken away , '' he said , referring to his imprisonment in April . The artist was detained on allegations 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 earlier this month 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 . `` 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 . Despite having the money to pay off the bond , Ai told CNN that the tax authorities he dealt with made it difficult for he and his wife to fix the situation ; refusing to take their house as collateral and even insisting that their money was transferred into a specific account . Speaking to CNN Tuesday , Ai said he remains defiant , crediting his public support . `` But we have to appeal instead of giving up . I 'm a public figure . I hope to help everyone in China to realize the reality . People said to me that 'when you 're fined , it is like we 're fined . That 's why we supported you . '' '' CNN 's Jaime FlorCruz and Haolan Hong contributed to this report .
Ai Weiwei uses donation money to pay off tax bond . Hopes tax bond will allow for administrative review . Comment: Support from public encourages his fight .