China Sentences Artist Gao Zhen to 3 Years, Prompting Appeal Over Decade-Old Works
Updated
Updated · Amnesty International · Aug 25
China Sentences Artist Gao Zhen to 3 Years, Prompting Appeal Over Decade-Old Works
3 articles · Updated · Amnesty International · Aug 25
Summary
Sanhe City People’s Court in Hebei sentenced 70-year-old artist Gao Zhen to the maximum three years on Aug. 25 for “slandering heroes and martyrs,” and he has decided to appeal.
The case stems from artworks made more than a decade ago that authorities say insulted revolutionary figures, with Amnesty saying the law was applied retroactively after Gao’s August 2024 detention and a lengthy pre-trial period.
Gao — a U.S. permanent resident and one half of the Gao Brothers duo — is due to remain imprisoned until Aug. 25, 2027, while concerns persist over reported collapses in detention, spine disease and fluid buildup in his knees.
His family has also been drawn into the case: Amnesty said his wife and child, though not accused of crimes, have faced harassment and an exit ban that has prevented them from leaving China.
The conviction adds to scrutiny of China’s “heroes and martyrs” law and the broader squeeze on artistic and peaceful expression under politically sensitive speech controls.