The lawyer for Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei said his client lost his appeal Friday against a multi-million-dollar tax evasion fine on a company he founded.

Pu Zhiqiang said the Beijing Chaoyang District court rejected an appeal against the fine levied on Fake Cultural Development Limited, a firm that markets Ai's art.

Ai told reporters at his studio in Beijing that he was very disappointed by the ruling.

His supporters say the case is part of the government's effort to muzzle China's most famous critic. Ai was not allowed to attend the closed hearing, which was held in June.