Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has lost a legal appeal against a £1.5 million tax evasion fine in a case widely suspected of being politically motivated to stop his criticism of his country’s government.
Ai, held for three months last year after making negative remarks about the authorities, was barred from the Beijing court.
At his studio in the city, he said the ruling showed “we still lack the basic legal procedures, the truth is not respected, and they do not give taxpayers or citizens any rights to defend oneself”.
His lawyer, Pu Zhiqiang, said the court ruled that authorities had acted within the law against Ai’s design company, Beijing Fake Cultural Development Ltd, but claimed the ruling was “totally without reason” and said the company would appeal.
State media claimed Ai confessed to tax evasion before his release.
He is not allowed to travel and is under constant surveillance but still criticises China’s government on Twitter and uses his work to draw attention to social injustice.
