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Gao Zhen sentenced to three years in prison for satirical Mao sculptures
Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, 70, has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Sanhe City People’s Court in Hebei Province. The conviction is for “infringing upon the reputation of heroes and martyrs,” a charge stemming from satirical sculptures created between 2005 and 2009.
Among the works cited by prosecutors are the “Miss Mao” series, which features caricatured depictions of Mao Zedong, and “Mao’s Guilt,” a bronze sculpture showing the former leader kneeling in repentance. Critics and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the ruling, noting that the artworks were created years before the 2018 law used to prosecute him was enacted. They argue the sentence serves as a deterrent to independent artistic expression.
Gao, a U.S. permanent resident and member of the internationally recognized “Gao Brothers” duo, was arrested in August 2024 while visiting family in China. His family reports that he has suffered health issues during his two-year detention and has refused to plead guilty. Additionally, his wife and seven-year-old son, a U.S. citizen, have reportedly been prevented from leaving China due to exit bans.
Entities
Amnesty International · Gao Brothers · Gao Zhen · Mao Zedong · Sanhe City People’s Court · Sanhe People’s Court · Sanhei People’s Court
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 18 SOURCES] Gao Zhen was convicted of infringing upon the reputation of heroes and martyrs. usaartnews.com · www.elmercuriodigital.net · www.liputan6.com · mymotherlode.com · www.amnesty.org.au · +13 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Gao Zhen was arrested in August 2024 while visiting family in China. usaartnews.com · www.liputan6.com · mymotherlode.com · cn.nytimes.com · www.entornointeligente.com · +1 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] The Sanhe City People’s Court in Hebei Province sentenced Gao Zhen to three years in prison on Tuesday, August 25. usaartnews.com · www.elmercuriodigital.net · www.liputan6.com · mymotherlode.com · www.amnesty.org.au · +13 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The satirical sculptures were created between 2005 and 2009, prior to the 2018 law used for the conviction. usaartnews.com · www.liputan6.com · mymotherlode.com · www.theguardian.com · jogaszvilag.hu · +3 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Gao Zhen refused to plead guilty to the charges. cn.nytimes.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Amnesty International described the sentence as a deterrent against independent artistic expression. www.elmercuriodigital.net · www.liputan6.com · mymotherlode.com · www.amnesty.org.au · tpo.nl · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Gao Zhen intends to appeal both the conviction and the sentence. www.liputan6.com · mymotherlode.com · cn.nytimes.com · tpo.nl
- [● 7 SOURCES] Gao Zhen's wife and son have been prevented from leaving China due to exit bans. usaartnews.com · www.elmercuriodigital.net · mymotherlode.com · www.amnesty.org.au · cn.nytimes.com · +2 more