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Ai Weiwei slams judge as court rejects appeal

Click to see photos of some of Ai Weiwei's most influential works.
Click to see photos of some of Ai Weiwei's most influential works.Sharron Lovell / Polaris
Dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei waits outside the entrance of the Chaoyang District Court before attempting to attend his appeal verdict hearing in Beijing on September 27, 2012.
Dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei waits outside the entrance of the Chaoyang District Court before attempting to attend his appeal verdict hearing in Beijing on September 27, 2012.David Gray / Reuters

Reuters reports — A Chinese court upheld a $2.4 million tax evasion fine against China's most famous dissident Ai Weiwei on Thursday, ending his long legal battle with the authorities but paving the way for him to be jailed if he does not pay. 

An angry Ai, who was allowed to attend court in person for the first time and without an obvious police presence, said he scolded the judge for being a "shame and a disgrace".

"It (the court) didn't respect the facts or give us a chance to defend ourselves; it has no regard for taxpayers' rights," he told reporters. Read the full story.

See more images of Ai Weiwei on PhotoBlog and in the slideshow below.

Click to see photos of some of Ai Weiwei's most influential works.
Click to see photos of some of Ai Weiwei's most influential works.Sharron Lovell / Polaris