Details emerge of Weiwei's detention
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei believed he was "close to death" during the more than 80 days he was held in a secret police detention centre, a source close to the artist told the BBC.
Beijing has banned him from speaking to the press since his release.
However, the source said Ai was hooded, kept under constant watch with guards inside his cell and subjected to treatment designed to break him.
Ai was detained on charges of tax fraud by the Chinese authorities.
For 81 days Ai Weiwei was held in a windowless cell of 4m by 4m (170 sq ft) and never allowed out.
The source, who is trusted by the artist, has told the BBC that Ai described his secret detention as "the toughest situation a human being can be in", every minute he felt "close to death".
He was hooded, interrogated repeatedly and watched over at all times by two soldiers who stood to attention inside his cell.
He had to ask their permission to use his toilet, even to drink a glass of water.
China's most famous artist and one of the most vocal critics of its ruling Communist Party was picked up by police in April as the authorities rounded-up activists, following online calls for a Middle Eastern-style Jasmine revolution in China.1
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