US-based dissident artist put on trial in China over satirical Mao sculptures, says rights group
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A U.S.-based dissident artist was tried in China for creating satirical sculptures of Mao Zedong, facing up to three years in prison.
AI Summary
Gao Zhen, a 69-year-old New York-based dissident artist known for creating satirical sculptures of Mao Zedong, has been tried in China on charges of "defaming national heroes and martyrs," according to his wife and a Chinese human rights group. Gao was detained in 2024 during a family visit to China and now faces a maximum three-year prison sentence under the charges. The case highlights China's use of defamation laws to suppress artistic and political dissent, particularly work that critiques the Communist Party's historical figures. His trial reflects Beijing's tightening grip on free expression and the vulnerability of Chinese diaspora members who return home.
What's Being Done
Gao Zhen was tried in China on charges of defaming national heroes and martyrs.
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