BOSTON (AP) — A former Berklee College of Music student from China was sentenced Wednesday to nine months in prison for stalking and threatening a person who posted a flyer in support of democracy in the Asian country, authorities said.
The leaflet that was posted on the campus in Boston on Oct. 22 read, “Stand with Chinese People,” along with other statements such as “We Want Freedom” and “We Want Democracy,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston said.
In response, Xiaolei Wu, 26, threatened to chop off the person’s hands, reported their family to China’s public security agency, asked others to find out where the person was living and publicly posted their email address, prosecutors said.
“Mr. Wu’s criminal conduct is very serious. He harnessed the fear of potential retribution from the PRC government to harass and threaten an innocent individual who had posted an innocuous, pro-democracy flier on the Berklee campus,” acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said in a statement. “Mr. Wu’s violent threats achieved his goal of instilling fear in his effort to silence this brave victim and others who might want to speak out against the PRC government.”
Wednesday casts Thandiwe Newton in highly
Media center ready for influx of international reporters
Spirit of the Silk Road lives on in Xi'an
Sierra Leonean president's China visit to enhance cooperation, friendship
Italy bans loans to Minneapolis Institute of Art because of long
First volume of 'Xi Jinping: The Governance of China' published in Bulgarian
UK urged to refrain from meddling in HK affairs
State secrets law revised to handle online leaks
West Virginia says it will appeal ruling that allowed transgender teen athlete to compete
Xi visits political advisors, joins discussion at annual session
David Beckham broke major rule at wife Victoria's star
Wang: China addresses hotspot issues through the Chinese way