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UK Immigration Officer Convicted for Spying for Chinese Intelligence

UK Immigration Officer Convicted for Spying for Chinese Intelligence

First seen 7 May 2026, 16:27 UTC • •

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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •May 8, 2026 at 16:07 UTC
  • •Two men convicted of spying for Chinese intelligence, marking a historic case in the UK.
  • •The defendants misused their positions to gather intelligence on Hong Kong dissidents.
  • •The case underscores the ongoing tension between the UK and China over espionage activities.

Chi Leung 'Peter' Wai, a UK Border Force officer, and Chung Biu 'Bill' Yuen, a former Hong Kong police officer, were found guilty of spying for Chinese intelligence by surveilling Hong Kong dissidents in the UK. Their activities included unauthorized access to immigration databases and gathering intelligence on pro-democracy activists. The pair were convicted under the National Security Act, marking a significant case of foreign interference in the UK. The investigation revealed that they referred to dissidents as 'cockroaches' and targeted prominent figures, including British politicians. The court could not reach a verdict on additional charges related to foreign interference. Both men face sentencing on May 15, 2026, and the Chinese ambassador will be summoned by the UK government. This case highlights ongoing tensions between the UK and China regarding espionage and human rights issues.

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Timeline

2023-12-01
Spying activities began
Wai and Yuen started gathering intelligence on Hong Kong dissidents in the UK.
Internazionale.It
2024-05-01
Arrests made during surveillance operation
Police arrested Wai, Yuen, and others attempting to force entry into a woman's flat in Pontefract.
Theguardian
2026-05-07
Guilty verdicts delivered
Wai and Yuen were found guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service at the Old Bailey.
Bbc

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