New Delhi, Aug. 26 -- Chinese artist Gao Zhen was sentenced to three years in prison Tuesday for "infringing upon the reputation of heroes" through his satirical works of art, including statues of China's former leader Mao Zedong.

The U.S.-based Gao, who was part of an artistic duo known internationally as the Gao Brothers, was arrested while visiting family in China in August 2024. He has been in official custody since then.

He was sentenced by the Sanhei People's Court court in northern Hebei province, according to his wife, Zhao Yaliang.

The charges against Gao relate to artistic works that China's authorities deem insulting to revolutionary figures. One was a 2009 statue called Mao's Guilt that shows the former leader and founder o...