Chinese court upholds Ai Weiwei tax fine

BEIJING, July 23: A Chinese court on July 20 upheld a� 2.4 million dollar fine for tax evasion against the� country�smost famous dissident, Ai Weiwei, after barring him from attending the hearing, in a case that critics accuse Beijing of using to muzzle the outspoken artist. Ai had asked the Chaoyang District court to overturn the city tax office�s rejection of his appeal against the tax evasion penalty imposed on the company he works for, Beijing Fake Cultural Development Ltd, which produces his art and� designs.(agencies)