Italy extradites Chinese hacker to US Over COVID vaccine espionage

Italy has extradited a Chinese national to the United States over allegations of cyber-espionage linked to the theft of COVID-19 vaccine research, according to US prosecutors.

Italian authorities transferred 34-year-old Xu Zewei, described as a “dangerous foreign hacker”, following his arrest in Milan in July last year, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He is suspected of carrying out cyberattacks against universities and research institutions involved in pandemic-related work, Italy’s national police said in a statement on Monday.

Investigators allege that Xu and his associates exploited vulnerabilities in email software to infiltrate thousands of computer systems as part of a wider state-backed cyber-espionage campaign known as “Hafnium”.

The US Department of Justice claims Xu acted under the direction of China’s Ministry of State Security while working for Shanghai-based firm Powerock Network, which prosecutors described as facilitating the operation. Targets reportedly included a university in southern Texas, along with a law firm operating in Washington, DC and internationally.

Xu appeared before a federal court in Houston, Texas, on Monday, where he faces nine criminal charges, including wire fraud and conspiracy to gain unauthorised access to protected computer systems.

US officials said the case underscores Washington’s commitment to pursuing individuals accused of cyberattacks on American institutions. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg praised investigators for their work and expressed confidence in securing a conviction.

China has consistently denied involvement in cyber-espionage activities, previously dismissing such allegations as unfounded and politically motivated.

Xu’s legal representatives in both Italy and the United States have not yet commented. If convicted on the most serious counts, he could face up to 20 years in prison per charge.

By Aghakazim Guliyev