Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday for defaming national heroes and martyrs. A Chinese court found Gao, who is known for creating provocative and satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong, guilty of infringing upon the reputation of heroes.
The sentencing came after a secret one-day trial. Gao, who is part of a brotherly duo famous for their satirical artworks, had already spent two years in detention. According to his wife and human rights groups, he was detained while visiting the country with his family.
The case has attracted international condemnation. This is largely due to the fact that the artworks at the center of the case were created more than 10 years before China created the law under which Gao was charged.