Disident Aj Wej-wej failed in his lawsuit against the tax fine

Beijing - A Chinese court today in Beijing rejected the lawsuit of the famous dissident and artist Ai Weiwei against the tax office, which imposed a fine of 2.4 million dollars (49.7 million crowns) for alleged tax evasion. This was announced by the AP agency.
According to tax inspectors, the company Beijing Fake Cultural Development Ltd., which sells Ai's works, committed tax evasion and must pay a high fine. The court began hearing Ai Weiwei's lawsuit against this decision in June in the Chaoyang district of Beijing. Today, the verdict was delivered, which was widely anticipated.
"Today's verdict shows that this country, more than 60 years after its founding, still lacks basic legal procedures, still has no respect for the truth, and still does not allow taxpayers and citizens to defend themselves. The entire judiciary is shrouded in darkness," Ai stated.
He could not attend today's trial because the authorities prevented him from doing so. According to his lawyers, the case is part of a campaign of intimidation aimed at silencing the well-known regime critic. Last year, Ai Weiwei spent nearly three months in police custody.
The courtroom was surrounded by police today, who drove away onlookers and journalists from the vicinity of the courthouse.
According to Reuters, Ai's case has sparked a wide response in Chinese society, particularly due to communication on social networks. About 30,000 people have already expressed their support for him and contributed to paying off the hefty fine. People passing by his house throw paper swallows over the fence, into which they put banknotes. Ai has already raised more than half of the amount he needs to pay in fines this way.