Serbian authorities have arrested two foreign nationals—Cui Guanghai, 43, from China, and John Miller, 63, from the United Kingdom—at the request of the United States. They are accused of orchestrating a conspiracy to harass and intimidate a Los Angeles resident who had publicly criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping.
According to a criminal complaint unsealed by the U.S. Department of Justice, the scheme began in October 2023. Cui and Miller allegedly enlisted two individuals within the United States to surveil the victim, install a tracking device on their vehicle, slash its tires, and destroy artistic statues created by the victim depicting President Xi and his wife. Unbeknownst to Cui and Miller, these individuals were affiliated with and acting under the direction of the FBI.
In the spring of 2025, after the victim announced plans to release an online video featuring two new statues, Cui and Miller allegedly paid two other individuals approximately $36,500 to convince the victim to abandon the online display. These individuals were also acting under the FBI’s direction.
If convicted, Cui and Miller face a maximum of five years in federal prison for conspiracy and five years for interstate stalking. The FBI is investigating the case, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Ryan, Amanda B. Elbogen, Leslie Esbrook, and Menno Goedman, along with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin P. Taibleson and Trial Attorney Goran Krnaich of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
The United States has expressed gratitude to Serbian institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Republic Public Prosecutor’s Office, for their cooperation in this matter. The U.S. will seek the extradition of Cui and Miller and looks forward to partnering with Serbia’s Prosecutor’s Office and Ministry of Justice.
This case highlights the increasing international concerns over the safety of individuals critical of foreign governments and the lengths to which such governments may go to suppress dissent abroad.
