CNN
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A Chinese student appeared in a U.S. federal court on Wednesday and was charged with stalking after threatening and harassing an advocate for Chinese democracy, U.S. officials said.
Xiao Lei Wu, a 25-year-old student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. confronting.
According to the complaint, Wu allegedly sent threatening messages to those who posted flyers on or near the campus of a university pro-democracy in China. Wu reportedly said on the Chinese messaging app WeChat: “Post more. I’ll cut off your bastard’s hand.”
According to indictment documents, Wu reported the person to the Chinese government and said a representative would “greet” the family.
Wu also allegedly asked others to find the person’s place of residence and published his email address online in hopes of being abused, according to the documents.
He was released after appearing in court, a spokesperson for the federal attorney’s office told CNN. It is unknown whether he entered the plea. CNN has reached out to the Massachusetts federal public defender’s office, who represents Wu, for comment.
Wu has been suspended from Berklee College of Music, according to a statement from the school Wednesday night.
“The behavior described is troubling to Berkley,” the school said. “However, we cannot comment on the ongoing law enforcement investigation.”
In recent years, as China’s leader, President Xi Jinping, has fanned nationalism at home and pursued an aggressive foreign policy abroad, the number of Chinese students from abroad has grown, helping to protect Beijing from criticism and insults. I’m coming forward for
There was an outcry when a California university invited the Dalai Lama to be a guest speaker. accusations of professors allegedly teaching “anti-Chinese” content in lectures; Clashes when other campus groups expressed support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.
But rising nationalist sentiment is not representative of all Chinese students abroad. Many of those who disagree with China’s ruling Communist Party and its policies have chosen to remain silent. For them, openly criticizing Beijing is too risky. In the past few years, those who spoke out have faced harassment and intimidation, reprisals against their families back home, and lengthy prison terms upon returning to China.
Earlier this year, even as Chinese students around the world took part in a rare protest, many posted anti-Chinese slogans around campus in solidarity with lone protesters in Beijing. , were afraid to publish them on Chinese social media or report them to the embassy.
