Chinese artist sentenced to 3 years in prison over satirical Mao artworks

Chinese artist Gao Zhen was sentenced to three years in prison Tuesday for “infringing upon the reputation of heroes” through his satirical works of art, including statues of China’s former leader Mao Zedong.

The case against Gao Zhen, who was prosecuted under a law banning "slander of heroes", has been seen as an assault on artistic freedom.

A Chinese court has sentenced artist Gao Zhen to three years in prison for "infringing upon the reputation of heroes" through his satirical art

A Chinese court has sentenced artist Gao Zhen to three years in prison for "infringing upon the reputation of heroes" through his satirical art

International rights groups have condemned the US-based artist's arrest, calling for his immediate release from prison.

Gao Zhen, part of a brotherly duo famous for satirical artworks, was convicted of slandering China’s heroes after a secret one-day trial.