International Tensions: Extradition of Chinese Hacker Xu to U.S. Sparks Controversy

This week, Italy extradited a Chinese man to the United States under hacking charges, which include the theft of COVID-19 research data. The individual, identified as Xu, was sent to the U.S. after an Italian court ruling permitted the move, following his arrest in Milan on July 3 at the behest of U.S. authorities.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Xu is accused of wire fraud and identity theft, participating in cyber pirating acts between February 2020 and June 2021. The DOJ alleges that Xu worked on behalf of the Chinese government to hack and steal valuable COVID-19 research and was part of a cyber-espionage group 'Hafnium.'

Meanwhile, China's Foreign Ministry strongly opposes the extradition, calling it a case of 'political manipulation' by the U.S. The ministry appealed to Italy to correct this 'mistake.' Xu's lawyer has dismissed the charges as a case of mistaken identity.

(With inputs from agencies.)