Chinese operatives accused of spying on dissidents in United States

Five men have been accused of acting on behalf of the Chinese government to stalk and harass Chinese dissidents in the United States.

Additionally, they have been accused of trying to derail the election bid of a congressional candidate.

According to AP News, the Justice Department said on Wednesday that these instances are examples of the increasing aggression efforts from the Chinese government.

Assistant Attorney General Mathhew Olsen, the Justice Department’s top national security official, said in a news conference that “Authoritarian states around the world feel emboldened to reach beyond their borders to intimidate or exact reprisals against individuals who dare to speak out against oppression and corruption.”

He added, “This activity is antithetical to fundamental American values. We will not tolerate such repression here when it violates our laws.”

The criminal cases were filed in federal court in Brooklyn. They allege that the men were trying to dig up dirt on dissidents, intimidate them, and stifle their speech.

In one case, two New York men working for an employee of a China-based international technology company were spying on pro-democracy activists. These men sought to illegally obtain and disseminate the federal tax returns of dissidents.

They also plotted to destroy the artwork of a dissident artist. Another plot was said to be created by China’s Ministry of State Security. Some of the men suspected to be involved in the different cases are still missing.