Three Charged with Reckless Foreign Interference in Australia

Three individuals have been charged with reckless foreign interference in Australia following an investigation into alleged information gathering on a Canberra-based Buddhist group, Guan Yin Citta, on behalf of a Public Security Bureau in China. The charges stem from Operation Autumn-Shield, a joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), and the Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce. All three have been released on bail and intend to plead not guilty.

Charges and Court Proceedings

Siru Zheng, 31, and an unnamed 25-year-old man, were arrested in Canberra and appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court. The man was initially charged with covertly collecting information under foreign interference laws enacted in 2018. Both are now expected to be formally charged with one count each of reckless foreign interference, an offense carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.

A 37-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, was previously arrested last year on the same foreign interference charge and is also currently on bail. All three individuals have stated their intention to plead not guilty.

Magistrate Glenn Theakston granted bail to Ms. Zheng and the 25-year-old man. He cited their strong ties to Canberra as an indicator of a low flight risk, despite prosecutors' concerns regarding potential flight risk to China due to extradition difficulties. Ms. Zheng's lawyer noted she had been aware of the investigation for months without attempting to leave Australia.

Bail conditions for Ms. Zheng and the 25-year-old man include remaining in Canberra and refraining from contact with the Buddhist group. Their next court appearance is scheduled for April, with legal proceedings for all three individuals expected to resume later in the year.

Allegations and Investigation Details

Police allege that the three individuals collaborated to gather intelligence on the Canberra branch of Guan Yin Citta, a Buddhist group described as banned in China. The alleged activities were reportedly conducted on behalf of a Public Security Bureau in China.

Court documents indicate that the police case primarily relies on WeChat communications between the three accused and an official associated with China's Public Security Bureau.

• The 37-year-old woman allegedly initiated contact with the other two from China in May 2022, outlining tasks to collect information on Guan Yin Citta in Australia.
• The 25-year-old man reportedly inquired about specific investigation topics and was instructed to investigate "all of them," with a priority on the current status and official website of Guan Yin Citta. He informed police he would fulfill requests for information from online sources. A significant volume of electronic material, exceeding 23,000 terabytes, was reportedly found on his devices, and his alleged offending is reported to have continued up to the present.
• Ms. Zheng was allegedly tasked with researching Oriental TV and Radio, a media entity connected to Guan Yin Citta, and purportedly used Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) documents for this purpose. Her alleged conduct is reported to have concluded in 2022. Evidence against her reportedly included screenshots of open-source material and an alleged phone call she was directed to make to the Buddhist group, which went unanswered.

The Chinese contact allegedly requested residential addresses for individuals linked to the Buddhist group and suggested that the 37-year-old woman join the group and attempt to advance within its structure. The group allegedly obtained information from publicly available sources, including Google, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, SBS Chinese news programs, and ASIC documents. One of the accused reportedly stated that the term "radio station" likely referred to social media platforms.

The only recorded contact any of the accused had with the Buddhist group was an unsuccessful phone call attempt by the 25-year-old man.

Magistrate Theakston noted that the evidence presented showed limited covert activities beyond an attempted phone call to the group.

Investigation Background and Official Statements

These arrests resulted from intelligence provided by ASIO to the AFP and the Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce last year. This intelligence led to Operation Autumn-Shield, which involved the execution of search warrants in July and the initial arrest of the 37-year-old woman in August. Ms. Zheng's home was searched in July last year, and the 25-year-old man's home in December. The alleged foreign interference operation became public following the police search of the first woman's residence.

ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess has stated that foreign entities exert pressure on their citizens residing abroad.

Director-General Burgess commented, "Multiple foreign regimes are monitoring, harassing, and intimidating members of our diaspora communities," characterizing such conduct as unacceptable. He also highlighted that increased community awareness and reporting of suspicious activity to authorities serve as a defense against foreign interference.