A federal jury in New York has convicted 64-year-old Lu Jianwang for operating an illegal police station on behalf of China's Ministry of Public Security in Manhattan. The verdict came after a week-long trial in Brooklyn federal court.
Secret Chinese Police Station in Manhattan
Prosecutors successfully argued that the outpost, established in early 2022 in the Chinatown neighborhood, was used to monitor and harass pro-democracy activists living in the United States. This facility is recognized as the first documented secret police station discovered within the United States.
Lu, also known as Harry Lu, faced additional charges for obstruction of justice after he admitted to deleting incriminating text messages following an FBI raid. He now faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison.
FBI Statement on the Verdict
James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI assistant director in charge, addressed the nature of the operation after the verdict. 'Lu Jianwang used a police station in New York City to target PRC dissidents in furtherance of the Chinese government's political agenda,' said Barnacle.
The conviction aligns with broader efforts to curb foreign interference on American soil. His associate in the scheme, Chen Jinping, previously pleaded guilty in late 2024 to conspiracy charges and is currently awaiting sentencing.
Global Operations and Denials
Global rights organizations have identified over 100 similar installations across more than 50 nations. These groups allege that China utilizes these centers to track and intimidate democratic activists and expatriates. Beijing has consistently dismissed these claims, maintaining that the sites are merely service centers for administrative tasks.
This case surfaced during a week of heightened scrutiny regarding Chinese influence operations. Recently, a mayor in California stepped down after facing separate allegations of acting as an illegal agent for the same foreign government.
Lu's conviction serves as a significant milestone in the crackdown on unauthorized foreign law enforcement activities within the United States.
