China ‘Spy’ Arrested on US Warrant Claims Mistaken Identity
Milan: A 33-year-old Chinese man, Zewei Xu, has been detained at Milan’s Malpensa Airport following his arrest on a US warrant accusing him of hacking and espionage related to COVID-19 vaccines and therapies in 2020. Xu asserts that the charges stem from mistaken identity.
According to Ansa News Agency, Xu, an IT manager based in Shanghai, was apprehended on July 3 and has since denied any involvement in the alleged activities. He expressed through his lawyer, “I had no reason to do what I am accused of, someone could have violated and used my account.” Xu further explained that one of his phones disappeared between 2019 and 2020, raising doubts about the use of his personal details for espionage.
The arrest was validated by the Court of Appeal of Milan on July 4, which also ordered Xu’s precautionary detention in Busto Arsizio prison. This Tuesday, a hearing for identification and potential consent to his extradition to the United States took place, which Xu did not consent to. Accompanied by his lawyer, Xu reiterated his innocence, suggesting that his common name and email account may have been exploited by someone else.
The investigation centers around an account that the FBI alleges belongs to Xu and was used for espionage. Xu’s lawyer, Enrico Giarda, stated that within ten days, the Italian Ministry of Justice must decide whether to proceed with extradition. Subsequently, the US has 40 days to submit all necessary documents. A hearing to determine Xu’s extradition is anticipated after the summer break.
In the interim, Xu’s defense is preparing a request for house arrest, with his wife actively seeking a rental property. Giarda remarked on the couple’s confusion and distress, stating, “Humanly they are very disoriented, they were on vacation and now he is in prison with challenging and difficult to understand charges.”
The Chinese consulate has intervened, securing a visit to the prison to meet with Xu, as efforts continue to unravel the complexities surrounding his arrest and the allegations against him.