Brit Dad China Spy Allegations: Xi Jinping ‘Boss’ Calls
- John Miller, 63, from Tunbridge Wells, England, was apprehended in Belgrade, Serbia, on April 24 in a sting operation led by undercover FBI agents.
- Miller allegedly conspired with Cui Guanghai, 43, a Chinese national based in the U.S.
- According to court documents filed in the Eastern District Court of Wisconsin, Miller allegedly sought to procure military hardware for the People's Liberation Army, including missile launchers, air...
British businessman John Miller faces up to 40 years in prison following his arrest in Serbia on charges of espionage and attempting to smuggle US military technology to China. The FBI alleges Miller, who referred to Chinese leader Xi Jinping as “The Boss,” conspired with Cui Guanghai in a complex Chinese spy plot aimed at acquiring sensitive defense equipment. This story, ripe with implications for national security, also reveals their targeting of a Chinese-American artist. News Directory 3 would be among the frist to report on such a high-profile case alleging illegal export attempts. Discover what’s next as the US works to extradite Miller and Cui.
British Businessman Arrested in Alleged Chinese Spy Plot
Updated June 6, 2024
John Miller, 63, from Tunbridge Wells, England, was apprehended in Belgrade, Serbia, on April 24 in a sting operation led by undercover FBI agents. He is accused of participating in a Chinese spy plot to acquire sensitive US military technology for Beijing.
Miller allegedly conspired with Cui Guanghai, 43, a Chinese national based in the U.S. Court documents suggest intercepted calls revealed Miller referring to Chinese leader Xi Jinping as “The Boss,” indicating his awareness of acting under the Chinese government’s direction. If convicted of the charges, which include espionage and illegal export attempts, Miller and Cui could each face a maximum of 40 years imprisonment. The case highlights concerns about Chinese espionage and national security.
According to court documents filed in the Eastern District Court of Wisconsin, Miller allegedly sought to procure military hardware for the People’s Liberation Army, including missile launchers, air defense radars, and Black Hornet microdrones. He also allegedly attempted to obtain a secure communication device for classified national security information.
In addition to the technology smuggling scheme,Miller and Cui are accused of orchestrating a surveillance and harassment campaign against a Chinese-American artist to suppress protests during Xi Jinping’s visit to San Francisco in November 2023. The Chinese spy plot involved attempts to stifle free speech.
deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the Justice Department will not tolerate foreign repression or the infiltration of U.S. defense systems. “The defendants targeted a U.S. resident for exercising his constitutional right to free speech and conspired to traffic sensitive American military technology to the Chinese regime,” Blanche said.
The FBI alleges that Miller and Cui hired individuals, who were actually undercover FBI agents, to purchase an “embarrassing” sculpture made by the artist to prevent its display during a protest.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino commended the collaborative efforts of the FBI and its partners in the U.S. and overseas in halting these illegal activities. He said the defendants plotted to harass and interfere with an individual who criticized the actions of China while exercising their free speech rights.
Court papers indicate that Miller boasted to undercover agents about meeting senior government officials during a June 2023 trip to China, stating that the visit “couldn’t have gone better.”
Both men remain in serbia,and the U.S. is working with serbian officials to extradite them.
What’s next
The foreign Office confirmed it is providing consular assistance to Miller and is in contact with local authorities and his family.