A man who left a scary note on the door of a former Chinese official in New Jersey was sentenced to 16 months in prison on Wednesday. This case highlights concerns about how the Chinese government pressures people who have moved abroad.
Zheng Congying was one of three men found guilty of trying to force Xu Jin, a former official from Wuhan, China, to return home. He faces bribery charges that he says are not true. The trial showed how the U.S. believes China is trying to intimidate critics living in other countries, something China denies. They claim they are simply trying to bring back fugitives through what they call “Operation Fox Hunt.”
During the trial, a jury found Zheng and his co-defendants, Michael McMahon and Zhu Yong, guilty of various roles in the case. Zheng reportedly knocked on Xu’s door, looked through a window, and left a note that said something like, “If you go back to China and spend 10 years in prison, your family will be okay. That’s all I have to say!”
Zheng’s lawyer said he felt bad about leaving the note and even tried to take it back. Prosecutors suggested he returned to check if the note was received. Although the three men did not speak in court, their lawyers said they thought they were helping a private company, not the Chinese government.
Zheng, a citizen of China, was found guilty of stalking but was not guilty of other charges. His lawyer has been asked for comment on the sentencing. Zhu was sentenced to two years in prison last week, while McMahon, a retired police officer, is set to be sentenced later this season. Three others involved in the case pleaded guilty, and five more are still charged but are believed to be in China and have not come to the U.S. to face court.
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