Full Breakdown
Italy Approves Extradition of Chinese National Suspected of COVID-19 Cyber Espionage
4/26/2026, 10:23:55 PM
Core Extradition Decision
Italian authorities will extradite Chinese citizen Xu Zewei to the United States. The move follows an April Italian court ruling permitting extradition. Xu was detained in Milan on July 3 after a U.S. request. U.S. officials allege wire fraud and aggravated identity theft linked to computer piracy from February 2020 to June 2021.
Background on Alleged Hacking
The U.S. Justice Department says Xu helped a team that targeted U.S. universities, immunologists and virologists researching COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. In 2021 he is alleged to have been part of the Hafnium group, which infiltrated “thousands of computers worldwide,” including U.S. systems.
Key Actors
- Xu Zewei – Chinese national arrested in Milan, accused of cyber-theft of COVID-19 research.
- U.S. Department of Justice – Prosecutor of the wire-fraud and identity-theft charges.
- Italian Court – Issued the April ruling authorizing extradition.
- Italian Government – Executed the extradition decision; declined comment.
- Enrico Giarda – Lawyer representing Xu.
Official Positions
The DOJ states Xu “has been hacking and stealing crucial COVID-19 research at the behest of the Chinese government.” An Italian government spokesperson declined comment. Giarda told Reuters his client has not received any communications about the case.
Defense and Opposition
Giarda argues Xu is a victim of mistaken identity and emphasizes the lack of official notice.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The lawyer’s claim that his client has not received any communications stands alongside the public announcement of the extradition decision. Sources do not disclose the evidentiary basis for the U.S. accusations, nor the specific legal reasoning behind the Italian court’s approval. The timeline for Xu’s handover remains unspecified.
Why It Matters
The case shows Italy’s willingness to cooperate with the United States on transnational cybercrime and may shape future diplomatic responses to alleged state-linked hacking involving Chinese nationals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The suspected hacker was arrested in Milan, Italy, at the request of the US authorities, who have accused him of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.” — Reuters report
- “The US Justice Department (DOJ) alleges that Xu has been hacking and stealing crucial COVID-19 research at the behest of the Chinese government.” — US Department of Justice
- “Xu’s lawyer Enrico Giarda told Reuters that his client had not received any communications on the matter so far.” — Enrico Giarda, lawyer
- “Following his arrest, Xu’s lawyer said his client had been a victim of mistaken identity.” — Enrico Giarda, lawyer
What’s Next
The extradition will proceed following the Italian court’s April ruling authorizing the transfer.
