Chinese National Arrested in Italy for Alleged COVID-19 Research Hacking; U.S. Investigates Former Intelligence Chiefs

A Chinese citizen has been arrested in Italy at the request of U.S. authorities over allegations of cyber espionage linked to sensitive American COVID-19 research. The arrest of 33-year-old Xu Zewei marks the latest escalation in cyber-related tensions between the United States and China.

According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Xu is accused of hacking American institutions on behalf of the Chinese government, specifically targeting research related to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics. The alleged cyberattacks were said to be carried out under the direction of the Ministry of State Security’s (MSS) Shanghai State Security Bureau (SSSB), between February 2020 and June 2021.

The DOJ stated that Xu operated within a broader network of state-backed operatives, utilizing private companies and contractors to obscure official ties to the Chinese government. “This case illustrates how the People’s Republic of China has repeatedly relied on shadow networks to steal American scientific advancements while maintaining plausible deniability,” the DOJ said.

Xu and an alleged co-conspirator, Zhang Yu, were apprehended in Italy on July 3. A nine-count indictment against the pair was recently unsealed in the Southern District of Texas, with charges related to computer fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States. The indictment outlines a series of targeted breaches against U.S. universities and scientific experts who were actively engaged in pandemic-related research during the height of the global crisis.

The arrests come as part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to counter foreign cyber threats, particularly those believed to be state-sponsored. Relations between Washington and Beijing remain strained, with disputes over cyber security, trade, and the origins of the coronavirus continuing to fuel geopolitical friction.

While the DOJ builds its case against Xu, another high-profile investigation is unfolding in Washington. Sources within the Justice Department have confirmed that former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey are under scrutiny for possible misconduct during the Trump-Russia probe, specifically in connection to statements made to Congress and the handling of intelligence.

According to DOJ insiders, current CIA Director John Ratcliffe has referred evidence to the FBI regarding Brennan’s conduct, suggesting possible false statements or other violations. In Comey’s case, a separate line of inquiry is underway, although officials have declined to disclose details of the alleged misconduct.

Two sources familiar with the matter described the investigation into Brennan and Comey as potentially involving a “conspiracy,” a legal term that, if substantiated, could open the door to broader criminal charges.

These developments follow the declassification of a “lessons learned” report that examined the creation of the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA). The ICA concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election with the intention of aiding Donald Trump’s campaign. However, the recently released review revealed significant flaws in how the assessment was developed.

The report noted that the process was rushed and marred by procedural inconsistencies, including the inclusion of the controversial Steele dossier—a collection of unverified opposition research commissioned by political operatives linked to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Intelligence officials reportedly warned that incorporating the dossier would compromise the credibility of the entire assessment.

Despite these warnings, the dossier was used in the final ICA, a move that, according to the report, deviated from standard intelligence protocols. The review also marked the first time that CIA officials publicly acknowledged that political pressure may have influenced the ICA’s findings, particularly from senior appointees within the Obama administration.

Adding to the controversy, a newly declassified email from December 2016 shows Brennan was cautioned by the then-deputy CIA director against including the Steele dossier. Yet in sworn testimony before Congress in May 2023, Brennan asserted that he did not support incorporating the dossier into the assessment. That contradiction is now central to the DOJ’s investigation into whether Brennan misled lawmakers.

At the same time, the White House under former President Trump has renewed calls for accountability. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “President Trump was right — again. Those who engaged in this political scandal must be held accountable for the fraud they committed against President Trump and the lies they told to the American people.”

The dual investigations—one centered on international cybercrime and another on alleged intelligence misconduct—have brought renewed attention to issues of national security, government transparency, and political influence in law enforcement. As legal proceedings unfold, both cases are likely to stir further debate in an already polarized political environment.