Chinese music student Xiaolei Wu was convicted Thursday on charges that he harassed a democracy activist at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Wu was convicted following a four-day jury trial of one count of cyberstalking and one count of interstate transmissions of threatening communication.

The incident leading to Wu’s arrest began on October 22, 2022, when the victim posted fliers saying, “We want freedom, we want food on our tables, we want to breathe, we want art, we want democracy, we want to love, stand with Chinese people.” From October 22 to October 24, 2022, Wu sent communications to the individual who posted the fliers, not only threatening the victim with physical violence but also potential harm to their family. Wu informed the victim that he had reported their activities to the public security agency in China, suggesting that the victim’s family could face serious repercussions from state authorities. Furthermore, Wu released the victim’s personal information online, intending to incite further harassment.

Wu was initially arrested and charged with one count of stalking on December 13, 2022, and was indicted by a federal grand jury on the revised charges on January 10, 2023.

Acting US Attorney Levy made the following announcement in response to Wu’s conviction on Thursday:

No one in this country should ever be subjected to threats of violence or a cyberstalking harassment campaign for expressing their political views. Mr. Wu now stands as a convicted felon for his illegal efforts to suppress speech by a fellow Berklee School of Music student who was critical of the government of China. This type of conduct will never be tolerated, the Department of Justice is committed to safeguarding the fundamental right to free speech for all. Our office will hold accountable individuals whose actions threaten or violate this fundamental tenet of our democratic society.

US District Court Judge Denise J. Casper will sentence Wu on April 24, 2024.