Italy expels 8 Chinese on national security grounds
Last week, Italian authorities issued expulsion orders for eight Chinese nationals from Schengen territory on national security grounds. According to news reports, three have been deported immediately, while four others had already left the Italian territory. One individual reportedly remains in custody on grounds of a pending asylum application.
The decision comes after years of investigations into relentless surveillance, harassment and threats against prominent Chinese dissident and influencer Teacher Li.
Safeguard Defenders previously published a partial account of the ongoing transnational repression campaign against him. From online smears, doxxing, surveillance and threats against his parents, to mass questioning of his followers across China: much of the campaign is conducted (from) within China’s borders. But not all...
For over three years, physical efforts to locate, intimidate and pressure Teacher Li into giving up his activities and return to China also took place across the Italian territory.
In response to the decision, Teacher Li states:
"Over the past three years, my team and I have steadfastly upheld press freedom, documenting and disseminating social events within China that are censored domestically.
Simultaneously, we have endured prolonged transnational repression by the Chinese government. Myself, my team, and our families have faced persistent and comprehensive harassment, threats, and violations.
We are heartened to see the Italian government take action against China's overseas repression. This represents not only protection for us, but also the defense of fundamental democratic principles and the rule of law.
We sincerely thank the Italian government for all its efforts, and we also thank Safeguard Defenders for their sustained attention, documentation, and support throughout these incidents."
The expulsion decision marks the first decisive action against the CCP’s ongoing transnational repression operations on Italian soil. In Fall 2022, our global reports on “Chinese overseas police service centers” showed how Italy was a prime target for the CCP’s transnational repression and foreign interference operations – at least in part due to its cooperation with China’s Ministry of Public Security through joint police patrols, readily execution of INTERPOL warrants requested by China and extraditions.
Since 2022, Italy had maintained a somewhat ambiguous political position on the matter compared to its G7 counterparts with whom it signed onto the June 2025 Kananaskis Leaders’ Statement on Transnational Repression. While upholding the European Court of Human Rights’ Liu v. Poland precedent by refusing extraditions to China on grounds of the “general situation of violence” in its prison and detention centers, occasional detentions in execution of INTERPOL Notices continued as PRC diplomats readily lobbied the Interior Ministry and highest courts.
Then, in mid-February of this year, news broke that between 2024 and 2025 Chinese State-linked hackers had obtained thousands of names, positions, and operational headquarters of thousands of specialized DIGOS agents working on investigations into Chinese organized crime in Italy and protecting Chinese dissidents.
[The hack didn’t mark the first time PRC authorities had sought personnel information on ongoing investigations of transnational repression. As we reported in May 2024 (see section Long-arm Policing... the Police), shortly following a deposition, an individual with knowledge of the investigation was detained and questioned on the matter by PRC authorities during a family trip back home.]
Following the discovery of the massive hack, Italian law enforcement authorities reportedly ceased all forms of collaboration with PRC counterparts.
It appears likely this rupture finally cleared the way for action against the individuals under investigation for their role in the persecution of dissidents on Italian soil.
It is hoped the decision may contribute to growing insights and further efforts to protect Italy from the CCP’s relentless interference efforts, including through continuing political influence operations by hundreds of united front affiliated organizations across Italy (as exemplified in a most recent report by Giulia Pompili for Il Foglio), that may threaten this new-found resolve.
Safeguard Defenders offers profound thanks to the dedicated DIGOS officers for their protective support and investigative efforts.
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Note: A growing number of democratic countries have started to pay increased attention to transnational repression, including through the establishment of dedicated reporting channels for targets of such acts.
To help democratic countries effectively counter these practices, it is essential targets of such repressive acts report them to the dedicated channels.
While not all instances may amount to criminal activities, only consistent reporting can assist law enforcement and other relevant agencies to get a better understanding of the breadth of the issue, the techniques used and the needs of the target communities so that together we can bolster our resilience against these practices.
Safeguard Defenders will soon make an updated reporting guide with existing and newly established reporting channels in democratic countries available through our website. Stay tuned.
