Beijing ( CNN ) -- A company that Chinese authorities say is controlled by dissident artist Ai Weiwei challenged tax evasion allegations Thursday . An attorney ; Ai 's wife , Lu Qing ; and an accountant were to represent the design firm at the hearing . Pu Zhiqiang , a famous human rights lawyer in China , told CNN that the Beijing tax bureau declined to have an open hearing and provided no reason . Ai said he disagreed with plans to have a closed hearing . `` If we wish the modern society to function effectively , cases like this should be conducted openly with transparency and public witness , '' Ai said . `` Otherwise a lot of problems would emerge . '' Pu said that if the evidence is valid , he will advise Ai 's company , which includes a studio , to pay the back taxes of 5 million RMB ( US $ 770,000 ) and the punishment fee of 7 million RMB ( US $ 1 million ) , which is in accordance with Chinese regulations . If he does not find the evidence valid , however , Pu said that the company will appeal . Ai , considered China 's most famous artist , was originally detained in April on grounds of tax evasion . However , his family and human rights advocates believe that the real reason for his imprisonment is his outspoken criticism of the Chinese state . After three months in jail , Ai was released on bail in June , possibly for medical concerns . Most famous for designing the Bird 's Nest stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics , Ai later called for a boycott of the games because he said China was using them as propaganda . Ai also has accused the Chinese government of trying to silence dissidents . Also Thursday , Ai confirmed he had received an invitation from the Berlin University of the Arts to accept a professorship there . `` I wo n't be allowed to leave the country for at least a year so I 'll have to wait until I 'm free to have a clear plan about my future and my work , '' he said . The president of the university , Martin Rennert , said the institution will welcome Ai whenever he can make it . `` We will wait for him to come when he feels the time is right , '' Rennert said .
NEW : This means the product will ship as received by the manufacturer, sealed, with all advertised components, and with the manufacturer warranty. Weiwei was released last month on bail . Chinese dissident is answering tax evasion charges .