China trials dissident artist over satirical Mao sculptures

Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen was tried on Monday over his provocative satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong.

His wife and a rights group said the trail comes amid the allegations of “defaming national heroes and martyrs,” regarding Zhen.

The one-day trial of the 69-year-old took place closed-door and at Sanhe City People’s Court in Hebei province, near Beijing, and concluded without a verdict.

Zhao Yaliang, Gao’s wife, said she was barred from entering the courtroom after the trial started, as Shane Yi, the rights group researcher, reported the information from Gao’s lawyers.

Verdicts in such cases are often announced months later, according to Reuters.

The accused, who moved to the US in 2022, was detained during a family visit to China in August 2024, despite making previous trips without incident.