Suffolk County

DOJ: Berklee student indicted for threatening classmate who spoke out against Chinese government

BOSTON — A Berklee College of Music student was indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday for allegedly threatening and stalking a classmate who posted fliers supporting democracy in China.

Xiaolei Wu, 25, who is a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), was indicted on one count of cyberstalking and one count of interstate transmissions of threatening communication. Wu was living in Boston, attending Berklee at the time of the alleged crimes.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says on October 22, 2022, a person was posting fliers on or near the Berklee College of Music campus that said, “Stand with Chinese People,” “We Want Freedom,” and “We Want Democracy.” For the following two days, court documents allege Wu made a series of threatening messages to the victim who posted the fliers.

Wu allegedly told the victim, “Post more, I will chop your bastard hands off,” and also encouraged others to abuse the victim online by posting their email address.

The charge of cyberstalking provides for a sentence up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of interstate transmissions of threatening communication provides a sentence for up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

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