An official website of the United States government. Here's how you know

##### Official websites use **.gov**

A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

##### Secure **.gov** websites use HTTPS

A lock () or *https://* means you've safely connected to the **.gov** website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Submit SearchSearch

FBI

            -  Most Wanted
            -  News
            -  What We Investigate
            -  How We Can Help You
            -  Submit a Tip
            -  About
            -  Contact Us
            -  Home 
            -  What We Investigate 
            -  Counterintelligence 
            -  Facebook Icon 
            -  Email Icon 
            -  Twitter Icon 
            -  Youtube Icon 
            -  Flickr Icon 
            -  LinkedIn Icon 
            -  Instagram Icon 
            -  Search FBISubmit Search 

FBIFederal Bureau of Investigation

# Transnational Repression

What We Investigate

                -  Terrorism 
                -  Counterintelligence 
                -  Cyber Crime 
                -  Public Corruption 
                -  Civil Rights 
                -  Organized Crime 
                -  White-Collar Crime 
                -  Violent Crime 
                -  Weapons of Mass Destruction 
                -  How We Investigate 

                -  News 
                -  Most Wanted 
                -  Emerging and Advanced Technology 

# Transnational Repression

When foreign governments stalk, intimidate, or assault people in the United States, it is considered transnational repression. You can get help to stop it.

Transcript / Visit Video Source

----

Some countries’ governments harass and intimidate their own citizens living in the U.S. These governments may also target naturalized or U.S.-born citizens who have family overseas or other foreign connections. This violates U.S. law and individual rights and freedoms.

Transnational repression may take the following forms:
                    - Stalking 
                    - Harassment
                    - Hacking
                    - Assaults
                    - Attempted kidnapping
                    - Forcing or coercing the victim to return to the country of origin
                    - Threatening or detaining family members in the country of origin
                    - Freezing financial assets
                    - Online disinformation campaigns

Governments use transnational repression tactics to silence the voices of their citizens (or non-citizens connected to the country), get information from them, or coerce them to return to the country of origin.

## Who Is Targeted

Foreign governments typically target:
                    - Political and human rights activists
                    - Dissidents
                    - Journalists
                    - Political opponents
                    - Religious or ethnic minority groups

If you are in the U.S., including a U.S. territory, your freedom of speech is protected, regardless of your citizenship.﻿

**View the FBI Threat Intimidation Guide**, which provides additional information about types of threats and what to do if you've been threatened, in English and other languages. 

### How to Report

                    - Contact the FBI online at  tips.fbi.gov .
                    - Call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

## Examples and Related Press Releases 

*Some press releases are available in other languages. See translated press releases section below.*

                          -  02.21.2024U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition of Organized Crime Leader Charged With a Murder Plot Directed From Iran Targeting a Journalist 
                          -  02.21.2024Statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the Extradition of Polad Omarov from Czechia to the United States 
                          -  01.29.2024One Iranian and Two Canadian Nationals Indicted in Murder-for-Hire Scheme 
                          -  01.25.2024Berklee College of Music Student Convicted of Stalking, Threatening Individual Promoting Democracy in China 
                          -  11.29.2023Justice Department Announces Charges in Connection with Foiled Plot to Assassinate U.S. Citizen in New York City 
                          -  04.17.2023FBI Director Wray's Full Statement on Charges Announced Today Stemming from Investigations in Washington and New York Field Offices 
                          -  04.17.2023Two Arrested for Operating Illegal Overseas Police Station of the Chinese Government 
                          -  04.17.202340 Officers of China’s National Police Charged in Transnational Repression Schemes Targeting U.S. Residents 
                          -  03.28.2023National Counterintelligence and Security Center: Don’t Be a Pawn of Repressive Foreign Governments 
                          -  01.27.2023Justice Department Announces Charges and New Arrest in Connection with Assassination Plot Directed from Iran 
                          -  10.24.2022Two Arrested and 13 Charged in Three Separate Cases for Alleged Participation in Malign Schemes in the United States on Behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China 
                          -  07.07.2022Five Men Indicted for Crimes Related to Transnational Repression Scheme to Silence Critics of the People’s Republic of China Residing in the United States 
                          -  05.18.2022U.S. Citizen and Four Chinese Intelligence Officers Charged with Spying on Prominent Dissidents, Human Rights Leaders, and Pro-Democracy Activists 
                          -  03.30.2022Man Charged with Transnational Repression Campaign While Acting as an Illegal Agent of the Chinese Government in the United States 
                          -  03.21.2022U.S. State Department Statement Regarding Transnational Repression 
                          -  03.16.2022Five Individuals Charged Variously with Stalking, Harassing and Spying on U.S. Residents on Behalf of the PRC Secret Police 
                          -  07.22.2021Nine Individuals Charged in Superseding Indictment with Conspiring to Act as Illegal Agents of the People’s Republic of China 
                          -  07.13.2021Iranian Intelligence Officials Indicted on Kidnapping Conspiracy Charges 
                          -  12.18.2020China-Based Executive at U.S. Telecommunications Company Charged with Disrupting Video Meetings Commemorating Tiananmen Square Massacre 
                          -  10.28.2020Eight Individuals Charged with Conspiring to Act as Illegal Agents of the People’s Republic of China 
                          -  09.21.2020New York City Police Department Officer Charged With Acting as an Illegal Agent of the People’s Republic of China 
                          -  01.15.2020Two Individuals Sentenced in Connection with Work on Behalf of Iran 

### **Translated Press Releases **

**05.18.2022**U.S. Citizen and Four Chinese Intelligence Officers Charged with Spying on Prominent Dissidents, Human Rights Leaders and Pro-Democracy Activists
                    - Simplified Chinese
                    - Traditional Chinese

**10.24.2022**Two Arrested and 13 Charged in Three Separate Cases for Alleged Participation in Malign Schemes in the United States on Behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China
                    - Simplified Chinese
                    - Traditional Chinese

**04.17.2023**Two Arrested for Operating Illegal Overseas Police Station of the Chinese Government
                    - Simplified Chinese
                    - Traditional Chinese

**07.07.2022**Five Men Indicted for Crimes Related to Transnational Repression Scheme to Silence Critics of the People’s Republic of China Residing in the United States
                    - Simplified Chinese  
                    - Traditional Chinese  

**01.27.2023**Justice Department Announces Charges and New Arrest in Connection with Assassination Plot Directed from Iran
                    - Farsi  

----

### Transnational Repression Wanted Posters

                          -    SUN QIANG 
                          -    ALIREZA SHAHVAROGHI FARAHANI 
                          -    OMID NOORI 
                          -    KIYA SADEGHI 
                          -    MAHMOUD KHAZEIN 

              -  Most Wanted 
              -  Ten Most Wanted 
              -  Fugitives 
              -  Terrorism 
              -  Kidnappings / Missing Persons 
              -  Seeking Information 
              -  Bank Robbers 
              -  ECAP 
              -  ViCAP 
              FBI Jobs
Submit a Tip
Crime Statistics
History
FOIPA
Scams & Safety
FBI Kids

              -  News 
              -  Stories 
              -  Videos 
              -  Press Releases 
              -  Speeches 
              -  Testimony 
              -  Podcasts and Radio 
              -  Photos 
              -  Español 
              -  Apps 
              -  How We Can Help You 
              -  Law Enforcement 
              -  Victims 
              -  Parents and Caregivers 
              -  Students 
              -  Businesses 
              -  Safety Resources 
              -  Need an FBI Service or More Information? 

              -  What We Investigate 
              -  Terrorism 
              -  Counterintelligence 
              -  Cyber Crime 
              -  Public Corruption 
              -  Civil Rights 
              -  Organized Crime 
              -  White-Collar Crime 
              -  Violent Crime 
              -  WMD 
              -  About 
              -  Mission & Priorities 
              -  Leadership & Structure 
              -  Partnerships 
              -  Community Outreach 
              -  FAQs 

              -  Contact Us 
              -  Field Offices 
              -  FBI Headquarters 
              -  Visit the FBI Experience 
              -  Overseas Offices 
              -  Additional Resources 
              -  Accessibility 
              -  eRulemaking 
              -  Freedom of Information / Privacy Act 
              -  Legal Notices 
              -  Legal Policies & Disclaimers 
              -  Privacy Policy 
              -  USA.gov 
              -  White House 
              -  No FEAR Act 
              -  Equal Opportunity 

# fbi

### federal bureau of investigation

                -   
                -   
                -   
                -   
                -   
                -   

### FBI.gov Contact Center

##### Email updates

          -              -  Accessibility 
            -  eRulemaking 
            -  Freedom of Information / Privacy Act 
            -  Legal Notices 
            -  Legal Policies & Disclaimers 
          -              -  Privacy Policy 
            -  USA.gov 
            -  White House 
            -  No FEAR Act 
            -  Equal Opportunity 

FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice © 

    - Home
    -  Most Wanted 
    -  News 
    -  What We Investigate 
    -  How We Investigate 
    -  How We Can Help You 
    -  Submit a Tip 
    -  About 
    -  Contact Us 
    - Crime Statistics
    -  Photos 
    -  Video 
    -  Outreach 
    -  History 
    -  FOIA 
    -  Scams & Safety 
    -  FBI Kids 
    - FBI Jobs