Boston, MA – A Boston resident accused of aiding the Chinese government by compiling a "blacklist" of U.S.-based dissidents has been acquitted of all charges. On Monday, a jury cleared 65-year-old Litang Liang of allegations that he acted as an unregistered agent of a foreign government between 2018 and 2022.
Liang, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from China, had consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial. Speaking through an interpreter following his acquittal, he expressed relief, stating, "Justice has finally arrived."
Legal Arguments and Verdict
The prosecution, led by U.S. Attorney Leah Foley, alleged that Liang had provided information on Boston-based individuals and organizations to officials of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This included pro-Taiwan activists and other dissidents. Prosecutors presented messages between Liang and an associate, Gilbert Ho, which indicated that Ho had shared a list of names and photographs with Liang after he had spoken with a PRC diplomat about a "blacklist."
However, Liang’s defense lawyer, Derege Demissie, refuted these claims, asserting that the list was merely for excluding certain individuals from a New Year banquet. Demissie emphasized that there was no evidence proving Liang forwarded the list to any government official. He further criticized the prosecution’s case as "half-baked, selective, and misleading."
Allegations of Foreign Influence
The case against Liang extended beyond the blacklist allegations. Prosecutors argued that he also identified potential recruits for China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and helped organize a counter-protest against pro-democracy Hong Kong activists in the United States. They pointed to Liang’s founding of the New England Alliance for the Peaceful Unification of China in 2018, shortly after a trip to Beijing where he met with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials. The organization was said to promote China’s stance on Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own.
The prosecution maintained that Liang’s activities aligned with PRC interests, arguing that he had been sought out precisely because of his community involvement and knowledge of local activists. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Kistner and Menno Goedman stated that Liang’s role was to "gather intelligence, recruit individuals, and push the PRC’s agenda within the Boston community."
Defense and Judicial Concerns
Demissie countered by portraying Liang as a politically active individual who pursued his own interests rather than operating under the direct control of a foreign government. He argued that aligning with a foreign government’s position is not a crime unless there is proof of direct coordination or control by that government.
During the jury’s deliberation, Judge Indira Talwani raised concerns about some of Demissie’s statements, particularly his reference to the court as "appointed by the government." She described this remark as "troubling" and cautioned the attorney against making similar comments in future cases. Additionally, she noted that Demissie’s mention of First Amendment rights was inappropriate since she had previously ruled that such arguments were outside the jury’s scope.
Reactions to the Verdict
While the jury’s decision marked the end of the legal proceedings, it sparked disappointment among some activists. Frances Hui, a Boston-based pro-democracy advocate and key witness in the case, voiced concern about the challenges of prosecuting transnational repression. "While I respect the legal process, this outcome is a sobering reminder of the difficulties in holding foreign influence accountable within our system," she stated.
Hui, who has been targeted by Hong Kong authorities for her activism, played a prominent role in organizing the 2019 "Boston Stands with Hong Kong" rally. Liang, in turn, was involved in coordinating a counter-protest supporting the Chinese government’s stance.
Despite the verdict, Hui encouraged dissidents to remain vigilant and report any threats to law enforcement, urging continued awareness of foreign interference in U.S. communities.
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