Chinese man held in Italy on US warrant claims mistaken identity
The man was arrested last week (July 3) after he arrived at Milan's Malpensa airport for a holiday in Italy with his wife. US authorities allege that he was part of a team of hackers who in 2020 hacked and otherwise targeted US-based universities, immunologists, and virologists conducting research into COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, and testing. The US Justice Department says a research university located in the Southern District of Texas was also targeted.
'He told the judge that he had no reason to do what he is accused of and suggested that someone may have hacked into and used his account,' his lawyer Enrico Giarda told reporters at the end of the hearing, which was held behind closed doors. The lawyer added that his client said his surname is quite common in China and that his mobile phone had been stolen in 2020.
'We are now waiting for the US authorities to send us the investigation files so that we can understand how they came to identify him as the perpetrator,' Giarda said, adding that Washington has 40 days to send the documents.
The lawyer specified that they plan to request house arrest, but only at a later stage.
In the meantime, he said he expects the next hearing to be scheduled after the summer break. The charges listed on the arrest warrant are wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and unauthorized access to protected computers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
23 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Hong Kong issues arrest warrants for 19 overseas activists accused of ‘subversion'; US reacts
The United States has criticised Hong Kong authorities for issuing arrest warrants for 19 pro-democracy activists based overseas. The move marks the largest number of such warrants issued under the city's national security law. The activists are accused of subversion for their involvement in an unofficial group known as the 'Hong Kong Parliament'. Hong Kong police allege that the group aimed to challenge the authority of the Chinese and Hong Kong governments. Several of the individuals are already subject to earlier warrants, and police say further action may follow. The 19 individuals are accused of being involved in the 'Hong Kong Parliament', an unofficial pro-democracy group that authorities claim sought to subvert state power. The group is said to have organised a mock election and promoted the idea of self-determination for Hong Kong, including plans to draft a new constitution. The Hong Kong police allege that these activities were attempts to unlawfully overthrow the government. The charges fall under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 following large-scale protests in 2019. Police said anyone supporting, funding or participating in the group could also face legal consequences. Among those named are businessman Elmer Yuen, political commentator Victor Ho, and activists Johnny Fok and Tony Choi. These four were already subject to previous arrest warrants, each carrying a reward of HK$1 million (approximately £95,000). The other 15 individuals are also facing new warrants, with authorities offering HK$200,000 (£19,000) for information leading to their arrests. Some of them were reportedly involved in organising or running in the unofficial election, or taking oaths as councillors of the unofficial 'parliament'. One of those listed, Feng Chongyi, a professor at the University of Technology Sydney, dismissed the allegations. 'They've got the power, they've got the influence want to control everything even overseas,' he told The Guardian. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Reuters: 'We will not tolerate the Hong Kong government's attempts to apply its national security laws to silence or intimidate Americans or anyone on US soil.' He also said the move showed how the Hong Kong government 'continues to erode the autonomy that Beijing itself promised to the people of Hong Kong following the 1997 handover'. The UK's Foreign and Home Secretaries issued a joint statement, quoted in The Guardian, calling the warrants 'another example of transnational repression' and saying they damaged Hong Kong's international standing. 'The UK will not tolerate attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm their critics overseas,' they said. Australia strongly objects to Hong Kong authorities issuing arrest warrants for pro-democracy advocates in Australia. Freedom of expression and assembly are essential to our democracy. — Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) July 26, 2025 Australia's foreign minister Penny Wong also objected, writing on X that 'freedom of expression and assembly are essential to our democracy'. She added: 'We have consistently expressed our strong objections to China and Hong Kong on the broad and extraterritorial application of Hong Kong's national security legislation, and we will continue to do so.' In response to the criticism, China's embassy in the UK said the British government was interfering in internal affairs. 'China urges the UK to abandon its colonial mentality, stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and stop shielding criminals,' it said in a statement quoted by The Guardian. Hong Kong police reminded the public that national security offences carry extraterritorial effect. In a statement, they said those who turn themselves in or help investigations may be considered for reduced punishment. (With inputs from The Guardian and Reuters)
The Hindu
23 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Police rescue man abducted by female friend for ransom; four arrested
The Ashok Nagar police have recently cracked an abduction case and rescued a 37-year-old manager of a private company who was abducted by his female friend and her associates demanding ransom. The police managed to arrest four among the accused identified as Mohammed Asif Risaldar, 42, Mohammed Sohail Sheikh, 25, both from R.T. Nagar; Salman Pasha, 22, from D.J. Halli; and Mohammed Nawaz, 27, from K.G. Halli, on Saturday. The female friend of the victim identified as Mahima Vat, who is the prime accused in the case along with her three associates are on the run. Efforts are on to track them down, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division) Hakay Akshay Machhindra, said on Saturday. According to the police, the victim, identified as Lawrence Melwin, worked as a manager at a Dubai-based travel company and had come to Bengaluru on a vacation and stayed at his parent's house before checking into a hotel on Residency Road. The incident came to light when the victim's mother Leena Antony filed a complaint on July 16, claiming that her son, who was staying at the hotel was missing mysteriously and not responding to calls since July 14. The Ashok Nagar police registered a missing persons case and launched the probe. During the investigation, it was revealed that on July 14, Melwin left in a car with Mahima allegedly booked by her. However, near Koramangala, the driver took a detour and he stopped a few meters ahead where two others got inside the car. Melwin's face was allegedly covered with a cloth mask, and he was beaten up. The suspects allegedly took his phone and a bag containing ₹1 lakh. He was then taken to a service apartment where he was tied up and tortured physically demanding ₹50 lakh in cash for his release. Melwin tried to negotiate it down to ₹20 lakh, but to no avail. Melwin told the police that the suspects used to lock him inside the room and feed him before going out. Melwin even tried to starve himself, thinking they would take him to the hospital. When he agreed to pay ₹50 lakh, they allegedly demanded ₹2.5 crore. The case took an interesting turn on July 22 when a woman from a neighbouring apartment heard Melwin's cries for help after the accused left. With the woman's help, he called his sister and informed her that he was in trouble. When his captors returned they realised that something was amiss and forced him into a car before dropping him off near Yeshwantpur. This was because the police had managed to arrest the four people who were keeping a watch on the apartment after tracing them through local intelligence. The police are now on the manhunt for the accused who are on the run.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Nitish Kumar Reddy's Old Agency Sues Him Over Unpaid Dues
Square The One, a Bengaluru-based talent agency, has sued Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy over some unpaid dues. The case is listed in the Delhi High Court for July 28, 2025. Square The One, a Bengaluru-based talent agency, has sued its former client, Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, over unpaid dues. The case is listed in the Delhi High Court for July 28, 2025 as M/s Square The One Pvt. Ltd. Through Its Director Sh. Shiv Dhawan Vs. Nitish Kumar Reddy. News18 CricketNext reached out to Dhawan, who confirmed the details available in the public domain but refrained from a comment, citing the matter being sub-judice. The talent agency has listed the petition under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. It alleges breach of the management agreement and non-payment of dues. Reddy is said to have separated from the agency last year, ending a three-year-long association. For years, Reddy was a prominent part of the agency's social media campaigns. However, since December, he hasn't featured there at all. Talent agencies are a big part of the modern cricket ecosystem. These are well-connected with corporate brands in India and around the world and work to secure sponsorship deals for players, while in some cases, also handling their off-field needs like social media image, events, public relations (PR), and so on. Unearthed by his home IPL franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad, in 2023, Nitish has become an important part of India's Test side. He played all five Tests of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scoring 298 runs and picking five wickets. He dealt with a few injuries afterwards before getting a chance in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. In the second and third Tests, he took three wickets and scored 45 runs. However, his tour ended prematurely with a knee injury suffered during training before the ongoing fourth Test at Old Trafford. 'All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remaining two Tests owing to a left knee injury. Nitish will fly back home, and the team wishes him a speedy recovery." Shardul Thakur has replaced him in the 11. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
