Police have launched an investigation after spray-painted stencil drawings of detained mainland artist Ai Weiwei appeared on two sections of pavement and footbridge walls in Central and Sheung Wan.
The stencils which carried Ai's image and the message 'Who's afraid of Ai Weiwei?' were discovered by patrolling police officers shortly after 6am yesterday in Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan and Cochrane Street, Central.
Police have classified the case as one of criminal damage and detectives from Central police station are investigating. No one has been arrested.
About half an hour before the stencils were discovered, red paint was found to have been splashed on the rolling shutters of a dried seafood shop, also in Wing Lok Street. Police said the two incidents were not linked.
Ai, 53, was taken from Beijing's airport on April 3 as he prepared to fly to Hong Kong and officials later said he was under investigation for suspected economic crimes. The mainland authorities have refused to reveal Ai's whereabouts.
Meanwhile, Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, Hong Kong's member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said she would ask the relevant departments about Ai's case.