USA.

American prosecutors have accused 12 Chinese citizens for being part of an alleged piracy scheme, who sold data from US dissidents to the Chinese government.

The operation “sponsored by the State” also directed government agencies, including the Treasury, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The computer pirates also went to an American religious organization and a newspaper in Hong Kong, the statement added.

China has not responded to these specific accusations, but has strongly denied other accusations in the past.

In December, the Treasury Department an “important” violation reported By hackers sponsored by Chinese, saying that they could access employee work stations and some uncasted documents.

At that time, China denied any participation, qualifying the accusation “without foundation” and saying that “it constantly opposes all forms of piracy.”

It is not clear when the last positions of the Department of Justice were issued, but on Wednesday they revealed in a federal court in Manhattan.

Among the accused were two officers of the Ministry of Public Security of China.

The Department of Justice said that the computer pirates, which seemed to represent a private company, I-Soon, charged the Chinese agencies between $ 10,000 and $ 75,000 for each “exploited” email input tray.

Supposedly “they made computer intrusions” under the direction of the Chinese ministries and for their own initiative, and were generously paid for stolen data. “

“Today, we are exposing Chinese government agents who direct and encourage indiscriminate and reckless attacks against computers and networks around the world,” said Sue J Bai, who directs the National Security Division of the Department of Justice.

“We will continue to fight to dismantle this ecosystem of cyber mercenaries and protect our national security,” he added.

No more details were provided about the specific dissidents of the United States.

The religious organization hit by Hackers was described as one that “previously sent missionaries to China and was openly critical with the RPC government.” RPC is the abbreviation of the People’s Republic of China.

A Hong Kong newspaper was also on the list. Although it was not appointed, the statement said it was considered that the Government of the RPC was opposed. ”

In addition to US agencies, it was said that computer pirates pointed to the foreign ministries of Taiwan, India, South Korea and Indonesia.

Last October, the FBI and the cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency said hacks aimed at two main presidential campaigns in the United States. They were carried out by “actors affiliated with the People’s Republic of China”.

At the beginning of last year, Seven Chinese nationals were accused With the execution of a piracy operation that lasted at least 14 years and addressed foreign critics from China.

The operations linked by Western governments to China have also addressed the United Kingdom Electoral Commission, and the Parliaments of the United Kingdom and New Zealand.