Zewei Xu, a 33-year-old Chinese engineer, has been extradited to the United States from Italy following his arrest at Milan Malpensa airport on July 3, 2025. His extradition, linked to allegations of cyber espionage, was finalized after Italian judicial authorities completed the necessary legal proceedings.
The FBI accuses Xu of involvement with a hacking group that stole sensitive information in 2020, including data related to Covid-19 vaccines during a critical period when global efforts to address the pandemic were underway. This case underscores significant concerns about cyber security and the safeguarding of biomedical research.
After a thorough examination of the US extradition request, Milan’s Court of Appeal deemed it admissible on January 27. Xu's defense team attempted to contest this ruling, but the Supreme Court of Italy upheld the decision on April 16, clearing the way for his transfer. Subsequently, Italy’s Justice Ministry granted the final authorization for extradition, which was executed once the political-administrative approval was obtained.
This extradition reflects a growing trend of Western nations prioritizing cyber security, particularly in light of intensified scrutiny of hacking incidents attributed to Chinese actors. For Italy, the Xu case highlights the increasing overlap between legal cooperation and national security within the broader context of transatlantic relations.