Chinese Man Wanted for Stealing Covid Data Held in Italy: US
The US Department of Justice has made a significant breakthrough in its investigation into the theft of Covid-19 vaccine secrets from American companies. Xu Zewei, a Chinese state-sponsored contract hacker, was arrested in Italy at the request of Washington. The 39-year-old is alleged to be part of a hacking group that stole sensitive data from the US on behalf of Chinese intelligence at the height of the pandemic in 2020.
According to the US Department of Justice, Xu Zewei was arrested by Italian authorities on July 1, 2025, and is currently being held in Italy pending extradition to the United States. The US government has accused Xu of working for a Chinese intelligence agency and using his skills as a contract hacker to steal valuable information from American companies working on Covid-19 vaccines.
The investigation into Xu’s activities began in 2020, when the US Department of Justice launched an investigation into the theft of confidential data from several major pharmaceutical companies. The stolen data included information on vaccine development, testing, and manufacturing, which was allegedly used by Chinese intelligence to gain a competitive advantage in the global vaccine market.
The US Department of Justice has charged Xu with one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and one count of theft of trade secrets. If convicted, Xu faces up to 25 years in prison.
The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant victory for the US Department of Justice, which has been working tirelessly to track down and prosecute those responsible for the theft of Covid-19 vaccine secrets. The US government has accused China of using its intelligence agencies to steal valuable intellectual property and trade secrets from American companies, and has launched several investigations into these allegations.
The Chinese government has previously denied any involvement in the theft of Covid-19 vaccine secrets, and has accused the US of fabricating the allegations to smear China’s reputation. However, the US government has presented evidence that it claims links Xu Zewei to the Chinese government and intelligence agencies.
The evidence against Xu includes intercepted communications between him and Chinese intelligence officials, as well as financial transactions and emails that allegedly show his involvement in the theft of Covid-19 vaccine secrets. The US government has also presented evidence that Xu was paid by Chinese intelligence agencies to steal the sensitive data.
The arrest of Xu Zewei comes at a time when tensions between the US and China are running high. The two countries have been engaged in a trade war for several years, and have also clashed over issues such as human rights and national security.
The Chinese government has been accused of using its intelligence agencies to steal valuable intellectual property and trade secrets from American companies, and of using these stolen secrets to gain a competitive advantage in the global market. The US government has launched several investigations into these allegations, and has imposed sanctions on several Chinese companies and individuals accused of engaging in intellectual property theft.
The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the theft of Covid-19 vaccine secrets, and demonstrates the US government’s commitment to tracking down and prosecuting those responsible for these thefts. The US Department of Justice has vowed to continue to pursue those responsible for the theft of Covid-19 vaccine secrets, and to hold them accountable for their actions.
The implications of the arrest of Xu Zewei are significant for both the US and China. The US government has accused China of using its intelligence agencies to steal valuable intellectual property and trade secrets from American companies, and has launched several investigations into these allegations. The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant development in these investigations, and demonstrates the US government’s commitment to tracking down and prosecuting those responsible for these thefts.
For China, the arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant embarrassment, and may undermine the country’s efforts to project itself as a global leader in the fight against Covid-19. The Chinese government has been accused of using its intelligence agencies to steal valuable intellectual property and trade secrets from American companies, and has launched several investigations into these allegations. The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant development in these investigations, and demonstrates the US government’s commitment to tracking down and prosecuting those responsible for these thefts.
In conclusion, the arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the theft of Covid-19 vaccine secrets. The US Department of Justice has accused Xu of working for a Chinese intelligence agency and using his skills as a contract hacker to steal valuable information from American companies working on Covid-19 vaccines. The US government has charged Xu with one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and one count of theft of trade secrets, and if convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
The implications of the arrest of Xu Zewei are significant for both the US and China. The US government has accused China of using its intelligence agencies to steal valuable intellectual property and trade secrets from American companies, and has launched several investigations into these allegations. The arrest of Xu Zewei is a significant development in these investigations, and demonstrates the US government’s commitment to tracking down and prosecuting those responsible for these thefts.
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