Italy ‘to extradite’ suspected Chinese hacker wanted by US authorities: source

The Italian government has decided ⁠⁠to extradite a ⁠⁠Chinese man wanted ⁠⁠by US authorities on hacking charges that include stealing Covid-19 medical research, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The government’s decision, which was ‌‌first reported by Bloomberg, follows a ruling by an Italian court earlier this month which said Xu Zewei could be extradited.

A representative for Italy’s government declined to comment. Xu’s lawyer Enrico Giarda told Reuters that his client ⁠⁠had not received any communications on the matter so far.

Following ‌his arrest, Xu’s lawyer said his client had been a victim of mistaken ‌identity.

The US ‌Justice Department alleges that Xu has been hacking and ‌stealing crucial Covid-19 research at the behest of the Chinese government.