Daniel Ngendahimana
CHEYENNE Wyoming, A 32-year-old Chinese graduate student has been arrested in the United States over allegations that she poisoned a colleague’s tea and later tried to leave the country.
Aili Wang, who was studying microbiology in Wyoming, was arrested on October 6 at Los Angeles International Airport. Prosecutors allege that she was preparing to return to China when she was arrested.
According to the Associated Press (AP), Wang is accused of poisoning the tea of a colleague with whom she reportedly had a poor relationship. The colleague had patents pending for his research into technology used to treat diseases.
Investigators allege that Wang bought a chemical called acrylamide through eBay. The chemical was reportedly detected after the colleague’s wife and other people tested water from the coffee maker he used to prepare tea.
The victim, identified in court documents as “K.T.,” began experiencing health problems before the investigation started. He and campus police later installed surveillance cameras in the office he shared with Wang at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.
Police allege that surveillance footage showed Wang searching through the victim’s desk. Investigators also seized laptops, electronic storage devices and documents when she was arrested at the airport.
Mark Gomelsky, a microbiology professor who supervised both students, said the allegations had shocked him. He also expressed concern about the victim’s recovery.
“It’s been disheartening, to say the least, to see that one of your student’s life is in jeopardy and another student may be responsible for that,” Gomelsky told the Associated Press.
As of Tuesday, Wang remained in jail in Los Angeles without bail. Court documents did not list a lawyer representing her, and the Associated Press said it had tried to contact her through email and LinkedIn.
The case comes amid wider concerns in the United States about the protection of research and intellectual property at American universities. US officials have previously accused China of stealing intellectual property, including research and technology.
However, the allegations against Wang remain accusations, and the information provided by the Associated Press does not establish that she is guilty.
