Chinese Artist Gao Zhen Detained for Allegedly Defaming Mao Zedong Under New ‘Heroes’ Law

Artist Gao Zhen Detained Under Chinese Legislation for Disparaging Revolutionary 'Heroes'

Artist Gao Zhen and his brother Gao Qiang, known for their critical portrayals of Mao Zedong and the Cultural Revolution, face legal challenges in China.

Gao Zhen, a Chinese artist renowned for his critical portrayals of Mao Zedong, has been arrested under legislation that prohibits the defamation of "heroes and martyrs."

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Gao Qiang, the brother of the artist, revealed that the 58-year-old was arrested last Monday. Police arrived at their studio in Sanhe, located in Hebei province just outside Beijing, to detain him.

Last Tuesday, the wife of Gao Zhen was informed through a detention notice that her husband is under suspicion for "damaging the reputation and honor of a hero or martyr," according to the post.

In 2021, an addition was made to China's criminal law, introducing a new crime punishable by up to three years in incarceration.

The new provision was introduced three years following the enactment of a 2018 law that prohibits disparaging individuals who died in service to the nation.