Italy has extradited a Chinese national sought by United States authorities on charges of hacking, including the alleged theft of COVID-19 medical research. Italian police confirmed the handover on Monday, following earlier reports that Xu Zewei was apprehended in Milan last July at the request of U.S. officials.
Xu faces accusations of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for his alleged involvement in computer piracy activities that reportedly occurred between February 2020 and June 2021. Italian police characterized Xu as 'a dangerous foreign hacker,' stating he was transferred to the U.S. to answer charges of criminal conspiracy, unauthorized access to computer systems, computer fraud, and identity theft.
US Justice Department Confirms Extradition
The U.S. Justice Department confirmed the extradition on Monday, asserting that court documents allege Xu hacked U.S. universities and researchers focused on COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and testing. The department further claims he reported to supervising officers under China's Ministry of State Security, which allegedly directed the hacking.
John Marck, acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, stated, 'Today, Xu Zewei will stand in a federal courtroom to answer for crimes that struck at the heart of American science and security.'
China Reacts to Extradition
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday voiced opposition to the U.S. 'fabricating charges through political manipulation,' urging Italy to 'respect facts and law, immediately correct its mistake' and avoid 'becoming an accomplice of the U.S.' Xu's lawyer previously maintained his client was a victim of mistaken identity.
The Justice Department also alleges Xu was part of the Hafnium cyber-espionage group in 2021, which infiltrated thousands of computers globally, including in the U.S. The extradition marks a significant step in international cooperation against cybercrime, though it has sparked diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and China.
