A British businessman has been indicted in the U.S. for allegedly attempting to traffic sensitive military technology to China and suppress a critic of President Xi Jinping.
John Miller, 63, was named by U.S. authorities following his arrest in Serbia, where he awaits extradition. The Mail on Sunday identified him as being from Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
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Miller and Chinese national Cui Guanghai are wanted in the U.S. on charges of conspiracy to commit interstate stalking, smuggling, and violating the Arms Export Control Act.
According to U.S. court documents, the pair allegedly discussed smuggling encryption technology from the U.S. to China and paid a $10,000 deposit for a cryptographic device via a courier service.
The documents also claim that, starting in November 2023, the two attempted to illegally purchase U.S. defense items—including missiles, air defense radar, drones, and encryption equipment—for export to China.
They allegedly explored ways to hide the devices in items such as small electronics, a blender, and a motor starter. The discussions involved others identified in the documents as “Individual 5” and “Individual 6.”
Miller and Cui are also accused of conspiring to prevent a U.S. resident from protesting against President Xi during the APEC summit in Los Angeles in November 2023. The alleged target had previously spoken out against the Chinese government and Xi.
Leading up to the summit, the two allegedly organized surveillance of the individual, attempted to install a tracking device on their vehicle, slashed the vehicle’s tires, and destroyed artwork created by the victim depicting Xi and his wife.
Unbeknownst to them, the people they were allegedly working with were acting under the direction of the FBI.
In spring 2023, the victim announced plans to livestream two new art pieces of Xi and his wife. Miller and Cui allegedly paid around $36,500 to individuals working with the FBI in an effort to stop the broadcast.
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated: “This is a blatant assault on both our national security and our democratic values. The Justice Department will not tolerate foreign repression on U.S. soil or allow hostile nations to infiltrate or exploit our defense systems.”
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino added: “The defendants allegedly plotted to harass and interfere with someone exercising their constitutionally protected right to free speech in the United States.”
Miller, a permanent U.S. resident, and Cui were named in federal grand jury indictments in Milwaukee and Los Angeles. Miller was arrested in Belgrade on April 24.
If convicted, they face up to five years for conspiracy, five years for stalking, 20 years for violating the Arms Export Control Act, and 10 years for smuggling.
The U.S. Department of Justice is working with Serbian authorities on the extradition of both men.
