Chinese National Arrested in Italy Over U.S. Industrial Espionage Charges

Xu Zewei, a 33-year-old Chinese national, was arrested by Italian authorities on a U.S. warrant for alleged industrial espionage related to COVID-19 vaccine development. The FBI accuses him of hacking U.S. universities and immunologists. He faces an extradition hearing in Milan. Charges include wire fraud and unauthorized computer access.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 10-07-2025 01:20 IST | Created: 10-07-2025 01:20 IST
Chinese National Arrested in Italy Over U.S. Industrial Espionage Charges
Chinese National

Italian authorities have detained a 33-year-old man from China, Xu Zewei, following allegations of industrial espionage related to crucial COVID-19 vaccine projects, according to legal and judicial sources.

The arrest occurred last week at Milan's Malpensa airport, based on a U.S. warrant. The U.S. claims Xu was part of a hacking group targeting U.S. universities and scientists working on COVID-19 research in 2020, with a focus on a Texas university.

He is charged with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and unauthorized computer access, facing an extradition hearing in Milan. His lawyer, Enrico Giarda, has withheld comments.

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