Serbian authorities have detained Chinese national Cui Guanghai and British national John Miller on allegations of orchestrating a transnational campaign of stalking and harassment against a critic of Chinese President Xi Jinping based in Los Angeles. The arrests came shortly after the United States unsealed a criminal complaint against the two men.
According to the complaint, the defendants began targeting the victim in October 2023, attempting to suppress their protest activities, particularly efforts to voice opposition at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. A statement from the U.S. Department of Justice details that the accused employed tactics including surveillance, car sabotage, and the destruction of statues depicting President Xi and his wife. These actions were allegedly coordinated with the help of two individuals who were, unbeknownst to the defendants, acting as informants under FBI direction.
The complaint further alleges that Cui and Miller continued their efforts into the spring of 2025. They are accused of paying $36,500 to two additional individuals, referred to as Individual 3 and Individual 4, to pressure the victim into halting the online display of new statues. These individuals were also revealed to be undercover FBI agents.
Cui and Miller face serious charges if convicted, with each count of conspiracy and interstate stalking carrying a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The FBI is leading the ongoing investigation. U.S. authorities have thanked Serbian law enforcement and judicial officials for their cooperation and are seeking the extradition of the suspects to the United States.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Ryan and Amanda B. Elbogen, along with Trial Attorneys Leslie Esbrook and Menno Goedman. Additional support is being provided by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin P. Taibleson of the Eastern District of Wisconsin and Trial Attorney Goran Krnaich from the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs. Further updates and case information are available on the Justice Department's official website.
