(MILAN, ITALY — November 6, 2026) Italian prosecutors have completed an investigation into 10 suspects accused of stalking and threatening a prominent Chinese dissident in northern Italy, exposing an alleged network of transnational repression aimed at silencing critics of Beijing abroad.
The case centers on Li Ying, a 34-year-old Chinese artist better known to millions of online followers as “Teacher Li Is Not Your Teacher.” He has reportedly faced years of surveillance and intimidation while living between Milan and Turin.
According to Italy’s ANSA news agency, the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office announced October 28 that it had concluded its investigation and was preparing to seek prosecution. The 10 suspects include eight Chinese nationals and two Italians.
Prosecutors allege that four Chinese suspects maintained close ties with authorities in Beijing. The group’s activities allegedly included monitoring Li’s movements, making death threats, and pressuring him to stop publicly criticizing Chinese government policies.
In a post on X, Li cited reports that suspects searched his trash, took mail from his mailbox, and sent materials to Beijing. In October 2024, he recorded a man spray-painting the Italian word for “rape” outside his Turin apartment, prompting prosecutors to investigate.
Li initially traveled to Italy in 2015 to study fine arts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he gained prominence by sharing videos and firsthand accounts of protests across mainland China, exposing the government’s strict pandemic controls and other human rights concerns.
His growing influence brought significant risks. Li applied for political asylum in Italy in July 2023 and received approval in November 2024. Yet asylum did not end the threats against him or the alleged efforts to silence his reporting.
Speaking to Reuters on November 6, Li welcomed the investigation, saying he and his family had experienced years of harassment. He expressed gratitude to Italian investigators for bringing the case closer to possible prosecution.
Alleged network with ties to Beijing
An investigation conducted by Turin police and Milan prosecutors identified four suspects accused of forming a criminal organization dedicated to suppressing Chinese dissidents in Italy. The other six allegedly participated in surveillance and stalking but were not considered core members.
Prosecutors identified Songqiang Wang, vice president of the Milan Fujian Chinese association, as one of the principal suspects. He allegedly coordinated operations to locate and monitor Li and other Chinese dissidents while personally participating in surveillance activities.
According to prosecutors, Wang acted on behalf of Chinese police and maintained close communication with Chinese diplomatic personnel and members of the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department, which works to extend Beijing’s influence among overseas Chinese communities.
Another suspect, Jianbin Zhao, allegedly recruited Chinese nationals in Italy to serve as informants and conduct surveillance. Prosecutors said he coordinated searches and verified intelligence through WeChat messaging groups, including discussions about locating Li dating to March 2025.
Zhengang Liu, president of the Italian Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs from Fujian, is also accused of acting under instructions from Chinese police. Investigators allege that he participated in efforts to locate Li and conduct surveillance of his movements.
Italy scrutinizes overseas repression
The case has intensified concerns about China’s alleged overseas police networks and broader efforts to intimidate dissidents in Europe. In March, Italy issued deportation orders against eight Chinese nationals suspected of spying on dissidents, including Li.
Religious freedom advocates have raised similar concerns. In July, ChinaAid reported that police in China’s Hunan province allegedly threatened a man’s retirement pension unless his wife and daughter, who were living in Texas, returned to China following raids on house churches.
Italian security agencies have also adopted a more critical assessment of Beijing. According to an analysis by Decode39, Italy’s 2026 intelligence report identified China as a major security risk and attributed the global “Salt Typhoon” cyberespionage campaign to Beijing.