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UK: China academic intimidation claim referred to counter-terrorism police (www.bbc.com)

submitted 18 hours ago by Hotznplotzn@lemmy.sdf.org to c/unitedkingdom@feddit.uk

4 comments fedilink hide all child comments

An investigation into allegations that Sheffield Hallam University faced sustained pressure from China to shut down human rights research has been referred to counter-terrorism police.

[Media have] been reporting that documents show that China had waged a two-year campaign of intimidation and harassment, including demands the university stop sensitive research by one of its professors into claims of forced labour in the Xinjiang region of China.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said the force has referred the investigation on because the "allegations fall under Section 3 of the National Security Act".

Section 3 of the act deals with "assisting a foreign intelligence service".

An offence is committed if someone behaves in a way that "intends that conduct to materially assist a foreign intelligence service in carrying out UK-related activities," or in conduct likely to assist that service.

Internal documents from Sheffield Hallam University were released under a Subject Access Request to Professor Laura Murphy, whose research is alleged to have been targeted.

They showed university staff in China had been threatened by individuals identified as being from China's National Security Service, who demanded the research by Prof Murphy taking place in Sheffield be shut down.

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[–] FishFace@piefed.social 2 points 7 hours ago

Sure. But it's not actually terrorism, is it? In fact, as worded, completely inoccuous activity seems to fall under the act - the definition of "UK-related activities" in the section includes literally any activity taking place in the UK. So intentionally helping set up a foreign embassy seems like it falls under the act.

Regardless, national security it may be, but terrorism it ain't.