The artist Ai Wei Wei has had his recent tax appeal rejected by a court in Beijing’s Chaoyang district. The charge placed was tax evasion linked to his design company Fake Cultural Development Ltd in 2011 which ordered him to pay a $2.4m (£1.55m) fine.

He was unable to attend the hearing as police prevented him from leaving his home. The courts were heavily policed with people including journalists and diplomats being turned away. Ai Wei Wei, globally renowned for his involvement in the Bird’s Nest Stadium for Beijing’s 2008 Olympics, claimed to be surprised that the government would allow him to challenge the case.

However this morning on behalf of the artist, his lawyer Pu Zhiqiang received the rejection verdict. Mr Ai posted on Twitter, “We will keep appealing, until the day comes when we have nothing to lose.” Previously the artist was detained for almost 3 months which he was released from without charge which was then followed by the accusation of tax evasion.