The extradition of a Chinese national, Xu Zewei, to the United States marks a significant step in addressing allegations of hacking related to Covid-19 research. Xu was apprehended in Milan on July 3, 2025, following a request from US authorities, who accuse him of various cyber crimes, including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The decision to extradite Xu came after a ruling by a prominent Italian court earlier in April 2026. While the exact date of his departure from Italy remains undisclosed, reports confirm that he is now in the United States. The US Justice Department claims Xu was involved in computer piracy activities between February 2020 and June 2021 at the direction of the Chinese government.
China's Foreign Ministry has publicly condemned the extradition, labeling the US allegations as politically motivated. They have urged Italy to reconsider its actions, asserting that Xu's arrest was a case of mistaken identity according to his legal representation.