The trial of Chinese artist Gao Zhen, known for his sculptures critical of the regime, has sparked international concern. Tried behind closed doors in Hebei province, near Beijing, this politically engaged artist faces up to three years in prison. This opaque procedure has reignited concerns about freedom of expression in China and the fate of dissenting voices.
A closed trial that fuels suspicions
Arrested in August 2024 during a trip to China, Gao Zhen is being prosecuted for “insulting heroes and martyrs,” an accusation regularly used against critics of the government. His trial, held without the public or witnesses, deviates from usual practices, which are generally reserved for cases involving state secrets.
According to the organization Chinese Human Rights Defenders, which called for his release, this procedure raises numerous questions. The artist, who has lived in the United States since 2022, is being targeted in particular for several works created with his brother, which offer a veiled representation of Mao Zedong. According to The New York Times, these sculptures, deemed subversive, are at the heart of the accusation.
An artistic crackdown with a clear political message
The case of Gao Zhen goes far beyond his own person. It illustrates a tightening of control over artists and intellectuals in China, particularly since the adoption of laws strictly regulating any criticism of the regime.
Sinologist Marie Holzman told franceinfo that this trial sends an unambiguous signal: any form of mockery towards the founding figures of power is now forbidden. According to her, this type of political procedure leaves little room for a genuine defense, suggesting that the outcome may already be predetermined.
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