Federal prosecutors have dropped their case against an NYPD officer. Accused of spying on the Tibetan immigrant community. For the Chinese government.According to court documentsobtained by NBC News. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York filed. Amotion to dismiss the case Friday saying “the government. Has received additionalinformationontheallegations.” The office did not elaborate on the China nature of the information.
Two years after the firing the officer, Baimadazi Angwang, 33. Was arrested on federal charges of acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government.
Angwang, who is of Tibetan ethnicity and granted asylum in the United States. Was working as a patrol officer for the NYPD’s 111th Precinct. In Affairs Unit. Which serves as liaison between the NYPD and the local community.
In 2014, prosecutors said Angwang reported on the activities of ethnic Tibetans. Identified potential Tibetan intelligence agents. And used his official powers as a police officer. To invite Chinese consular officials to NYPD events.
According to court documents, in correspondence with his “handler,” a Chinese official affiliated. With China an agency tasked with neutralizing anti-Chinese opposition, Angwang discussed visiting. A newly opened community center in Queens.
“If it’s good or not, you need to know about it for your job. They’re the biggest place for activity right now. If they’re involved in politics, more than half of the meetings could. Be there in the future,” Angwang told Handler, according to court documents.
According to federal prosecutors. He provided Chinese officials with “non-public information. About the internal operations of the NYPD.”
“Let them [Beijing higher-ups] know that you have appointed someone. To the police department,” Angwang reported back to Chinese officials, according. To an official detention memo.
According to the complaint, Angwang was granted asylum. In America because of the tense history between the Tibetan and Chinese governments.
The People’s Republic of China occupied and controlled Tibet in 1951. Since then, Tibetan activists who feel their community has been oppressed. And persecuted by China have held numerous protests.
However, prosecutors said Angwang’s asylum request was based on lies. Despite claims of torture at the hands of the Chinese government. Angwang returned to China several times. After the alleged mistreatment, according to the memo.
“They are not the work of an individual who fears torture or persecution. At the hands of the PRC [People’s Republic of China. False pretenses,” according to the memo.
Tibetan advocacy organizations condemned. The Chinese government after learning of the arrests in 2020.
. Making false statements and obstructing an official hearing, according to court documents.
If convicted, he could face up to 55 years in prison.
