US Court Tries Man Accused of Running 'Chinese Spy Station' in Manhattan
Axios (Tổng hợp từ english.kyodonews.net)
A man is on trial in Manhattan federal court for allegedly running a Chinese spy station from a six-story building in Chinatown. Prosecutors claim it surveilled Vietnamese targets; the defense says it was only a ping-pong club.
In New York, a nondescript six-story glass building nestled among hotels, spas, and cafes in the heart of Manhattan's Chinatown has become the focus of grave allegations. A man is facing U.S. charges for allegedly operating the site as a Beijing spy station.
According to court documents, federal prosecutors contend the building was used as a base for illegal intelligence activities, gathering information on Vietnamese political figures and businesses in the United States. The accusations include infiltrating opposition groups, conducting surveillance, and sending intelligence back to China.
The defendant's lawyer pushed back forcefully: “My client simply ran a recreational club with ping-pong tables and a community lounge for the Chinese diaspora. There was no espionage here.” He further noted that no listening devices or hidden cameras were found during the search.
The case is being heard in federal court in Manhattan, with a trial expected in the coming months. If convicted, the defendant could face up to 15 years in prison. Observers view this as part of the broader legal confrontation between the U.S. and China over suspected intelligence hubs abroad.
