China: Dissident artist jailed for satirical Mao sculptures - DW.com
Chinese sculptor Gao Zhen has been sentenced to three years in prison for satirical artworks depicting Mao Zedong created nearly two decades ago. The conviction was made under a law protecting the reputation of heroes that was enacted long after the artworks were produced.
Why it matters
The case highlights the tightening of freedom of expression in China and the retroactive application of laws to suppress political dissent.
Sculptor Gao Zhen was charged under China's "Law on the Protection of Heroes and Martyrs." His supporters have called for his immediate release.
The framing emphasizes the violation of freedom of expression and the retroactive nature of the law, which is a common critique of the Chinese legal system in Western media.
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