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In what can only be described as collective punishment, the young son of detained artist Gao Zhen is being prevented from returning home to the United States
On May 10, 2026, Chinese artist Gao Zhen turned 70 years old. He spent his birthday in a Chinese prison.
Nearly two years ago, on August 26, 2024, Gao was arrested by Chinese authorities and later charged with “slandering heroes and martyrs.” His alleged crime was not espionage, violence, or corruption. It was art.
In March 2026, Gao stood trial for a single day. He remains detained today, still awaiting a verdict.
