Christine Drews Sieger
A covert Chinese “police station” operating in Manhattan has sparked major attention in the U.S. after a 64-year-old agent was found guilty of monitoring and pressuring critics of Beijing.
A major new case has drawn huge attention in the United States.
A 64-year-old illegal agent named Lu Jianwang has been found guilty of operating a covert Chinese “police station.” The facility was allegedly used to monitor and pressure critics of Beijing, Politico reports.
The “police station” reportedly focused on Chinese critics living outside the country’s borders and was allegedly linked to China’s security apparatus.
Defense rejects allegations
“A police station operating in New York City at the direction of the Chinese government has been exposed,” federal prosecutor Joseph Nocella Jr. said after the verdict.
The investigation began back in 2022, when the FBI received information about an office in Manhattan that allegedly had ties to Chinese authorities.
Lu Jianwang’s defense attorney argued that the premises were not used for espionage or similar activities. Instead, it was described as a place that helped Chinese immigrants.
The location was also referred to as a gathering place where local residents met for social events and activities, Politico reports.
Not the first “Police station”
However, this is not the first time a similar case has surfaced in Manhattan. In December 2024, U.S. citizen Chen Jinping pleaded guilty to helping operate a similar secret “police station.”
Worldwide, there are reportedly more than 100 similar stations across 53 countries. China has denied the allegations, saying the sites merely provided administrative services to Chinese citizens abroad, according to the BBC.
Possible prison sentence
Deleted messages containing instructions from Chinese officials and authorities were presented during the case. The details of the messages remain unknown.
Lu is currently free on bail while awaiting sentencing.
He could face up to 10 years in prison on the agent-related charge and up to 20 years for obstruction of the investigation, Politico reports.
Sources: Politico, BBC
