Chinese National Arrested in Italy for Alleged Cyber Espionage on U.S. COVID-19 Research; Former U.S. Intelligence Chiefs Under Investigation

A 33-year-old Chinese citizen, Xu Zewei, has been arrested in Italy following an extradition request from the United States. U.S. federal authorities have charged Xu with cyber espionage, alleging that he hacked into sensitive American research related to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments on behalf of the Chinese government.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the charges on Tuesday, stating that Xu was acting under the direction of the Shanghai State Security Bureau (SSSB), a branch of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS). The cyberattacks reportedly took place between February 2020 and June 2021, during a critical period of the global pandemic response.

According to the DOJ, Xu targeted U.S. universities and scientific researchers, including immunologists and virologists who were involved in developing COVID-19 vaccines, testing protocols, and treatment methods. Xu’s arrest, which took place on July 3 in Italy, was coordinated alongside the arrest of a co-defendant, Zhang Yu. Both individuals are named in a nine-count indictment unsealed in the Southern District of Texas.

U.S. officials allege that Xu and Zhang worked through a network of private contractors and front companies to mask the Chinese government’s involvement in the operation. This method, according to the DOJ, reflects a broader pattern of cyber espionage attributed to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), wherein state-sponsored hackers leverage third parties to obscure their origins and intentions.

“The charges against Xu are part of an ongoing effort by the PRC to steal cutting-edge scientific research and technology through coordinated cyberattacks,” the DOJ said in its statement. “This type of activity threatens both U.S. national security and global public health.”

The arrest comes amid persistent geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, particularly concerning the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and allegations of intellectual property theft. Washington has repeatedly accused Beijing of orchestrating cyber operations targeting various sectors, including health care, defense, and advanced technology.

In a separate and politically charged development, former high-ranking U.S. intelligence officials John Brennan and James Comey are reportedly under criminal investigation by the Justice Department. Brennan, the former CIA director, and Comey, the former FBI director, are both being scrutinized for their roles in the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

According to sources cited by Fox News Digital, the investigations are focused on potential misconduct, including the possibility of false statements made to Congress and procedural violations during the creation of the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA). That assessment concluded that Russia had interfered in the 2016 election with the goal of aiding Donald Trump’s candidacy.

DOJ sources also revealed that current CIA Director John Ratcliffe had referred potential evidence against Brennan to FBI officials, including Director Kash Patel, for possible prosecution. The probe into Brennan is said to revolve around the inclusion of the now-discredited Steele dossier in the ICA—a controversial intelligence report partially funded by the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.

A recently declassified internal CIA review found that the process used to develop the ICA was rushed and deviated from standard intelligence practices. It also concluded that inserting the Steele dossier into the assessment was inconsistent with fundamental tradecraft, ultimately damaging the report’s credibility.

The dossier, which contained unverified allegations about Trump’s ties to Russia, has since been largely debunked. Nonetheless, declassified emails show that Brennan was warned by his then-deputy in December 2016 that including the dossier in the ICA could undermine the integrity of the entire report. Despite this warning, Brennan allegedly advocated for its inclusion.

Under oath in May 2023 testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, Brennan claimed he did not support the dossier’s use in the ICA. However, newly released documents appear to contradict his statement, triggering a criminal inquiry into whether he lied to Congress.

James Comey is also under investigation, though fewer details are publicly known about the specific allegations against the former FBI chief. DOJ sources have indicated that the investigation may explore the possibility of a broader conspiracy, which could significantly widen the scope of legal liability.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt commented on the developments, stating, “President Trump was right — again. Those who orchestrated this political manipulation must be held responsible for misleading both Congress and the American public.”

The investigations into Xu’s alleged cyber espionage and the conduct of former U.S. intelligence officials highlight the continued intersections between global cyber threats and domestic political controversies. Both cases are likely to generate significant attention as further details emerge.