Boston, Massachusetts: A Chinese student at Berklee College of Music has been sentenced to nine months in prison for stalking and threatening a fellow Chinese student who had put up pro-democracy fliers on campus. In response to the fliers advocating for freedom and democracy, Xiaolei Wu made violent threats towards the woman, leading to his conviction and subsequent deportation order after serving his sentence.
The case brought to light the issue of activism among Chinese people abroad and the consequences faced by those who speak out against the Chinese government. It was revealed that Wu, a jazz student at the university, had directly communicated with his victim through various online platforms, attempting to intimidate and silence her through threats and public exposure.
The FBI’s Boston Division, headed by Jodi Cohen, expressed deep concern over Wu’s use of China’s authoritarian nature to instill fear in his victim and discourage others from dissenting against the government. Acting US Attorney Joshua S. Levy emphasized the importance of upholding First Amendment rights and resisting efforts to censor or suppress individuals through intimidation tactics.
During Wu’s conviction, it was highlighted that cyberstalking carries severe penalties in the US, including prison time, supervised release, and hefty fines. Wu’s actions, which targeted a fellow student exercising her right to free speech, underscored the dangers of online harassment and the need to protect individuals from such threats in the digital age.
The case serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those advocating for democracy and freedom of expression, especially within the Chinese community overseas. The court’s decision to hold Wu accountable for his threatening behavior sends a strong message about the consequences of using intimidation tactics to silence dissenting voices. As the conversation around censorship and online harassment continues, the importance of upholding fundamental rights and protecting individuals from such threats remains paramount.