Australian police charge Chinese national for ‘foreign interference’

A Chinese woman, who is also a permanent Australian resident, has been charged with a foreign interference offence in Australia, according to the joint statement released by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) on Monday.

In the joint statement, the AFP and ASIO said, “A Chinese national accused of covertly collecting information about a Canberra Buddhist association on behalf of a foreign principal has been charged by the AFP under the Counter Foreign



Interference Taskforce (CFITF).”

The woman appeared in ACT Magistrates Court on Monday, to face one count of reckless foreign interference, contrary to section 92.3 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment. 

The AFP arrested and charged the woman on Saturday after carrying out search warrants at homes in Canberra. During the searches, a number of items, including electronic devices, were seized and will undergo forensic examination.