Chinese scientist Liu Zunyong tried to bring toxic fungus into US, FBI says
The pathogen, found stashed in his backpack at the airport, can attack wheat, barley, maize and rice, and sicken livestock and people
A Chinese scientist entered the US last year with a toxic fungus stashed in his backpack, federal authorities said on Tuesday as they filed charges against him and a girlfriend who worked in a lab at the University of Michigan.
The pathogen is known as Fusarium graminearum, which can attack wheat, barley, maize and rice and sicken livestock and people, the FBI said in a court filing in Detroit.
The FBI said a scientific journal describes it as a “potential agroterrorism weapon”.
Liu Zunyong, 34, and Jian Yunqing, 33, were charged with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud.
“The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals, including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party, are of the gravest national security concerns,” U..Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jnr said.
Jian appeared in court and was returned to jail to await a bond hearing on Thursday. A lawyer who was assigned only for her initial appearance declined to comment.
