On July 3, 2025, a 33-year-old Chinese man from Shanghai was arrested at Malpensa Airport on the basis of an international arrest warrant issued by the US authorities. He is suspected of being part of a hacker group that stole patient data and research results on the coronavirus vaccine at the University of Texas, among other things.
The arrest took place immediately after his arrival. The Italian judiciary confirmed his detention. On July 4, the judge Veronica Tallarida ordered pre-trial detention. The man is currently being held in Busto Arsizio near Varese.
The US indictment charges the man with serious criminal offenses. He and his alleged accomplices are said to be guilty of multiple counts of cyber fraud, aggravated identity theft, illegal intrusion into secured computer systems and conspiracy. The possible prison sentences range from five to twenty years.
According to the FBI indictment, he also allegedly operated under the code name "Hafnium", a campaign led by the Chinese state that targeted universities, research institutions and government systems. One of the main targets was research into coronavirus vaccines.
The board member, who is said to work as an IT manager in Shanghai, defends himself: according to his wife, he is an innocent professional who was on vacation in Italy at the time of the crimes.
Tomorrow, July 8, the first hearing will take place before the court in Milan, where the formal identification and possible consent to extradition will be discussed. Longer proceedings are on the cards.
