A Florida man faces criminal charges for allegedly smashing a vase by dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei worth $1 million (£600,000) at a Miami museum.

Maximo Caminero, 51, was charged with criminal mischief after the incident at the Perez Art Museum in Miami, with Miami Police saying that he purposefully smashed the vase on the floor after being told to put it down by a security guard.

Caminero reportedly told officers that he smashed the vase in protest of the museum’s preference for foreign over domestic and local art.

The painter has said that he will “answer all the questions” about his actions at a press conference scheduled for Tuesday.

If found guilty, Caminero could face up to five years in prison for damaging such a valuable object.