A businessman from Tunbridge Wells is accused of leading a double life. He’s secretly recorded planning a brutal attack with ice picks on behalf of the Chinese state. His story takes a dramatic turn with a high-stakes escape.

To enjoy the Slow Newscast ad-free, subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription.

You’ll get access to:

This series and all our podcasts before anyone else

Ad-free listening

Premium newsletters

Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword

Exclusive offers from our partners

Tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

Or subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to listen to all our podcasts, including this one, without any ads.

Reporters - Alexi Mostrous and Frankie Vetch

Producer - Jonathan Lewis

Additional production - Amalie Sortland

Sound design - Dominic Delargy

Podcast illustration - Shonagh Rae

Editor - Jasper Corbett

Credits - Voice of America, CBS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American citizens are recruited to carry out Beijing’s dirty work on home soil. A Florida correctional officer poses as an art dealer, exposing the murky world of transnational repression and China’s shadow war.

This is part two of a three part series. To listen to all episodes today, and enjoy the Slow Newscast ad-free, subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription.

You’ll get access to:

This series and all our podcasts before anyone else

Ad-free listening

Premium newsletters

Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword

Exclusive offers from our partners

Tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

Or subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to listen to all our podcasts, including this one, without any ads.

Reporters - Alexi Mostrous and Frankie Vetch

Producer - Jonathan Lewis

Additional production - Amalie Sortland

Sound design - Dominic Delargy

Podcast illustration - Shonagh Rae

Editor - Jasper Corbett

Credits - CNBC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexi goes in search of the “long arm” of the Chinese state following a series of attacks and bounties on British soil. He uncovers a coordinated campaign of fear that has left dissidents feeling unsafe in the UK – and asks what British authorities are doing to protect them.

This is Part One of a three part series. To listen to all episodes today, and enjoy the Slow Newscast ad-free, subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription.

You’ll get access to:

• This series and all our podcasts before anyone else
• Ad-free listening
• Premium newsletters
• Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
• Exclusive offers from our partners
• Tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

Or subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to listen to all our podcasts, including this one, without any ads.

Reporters - Alexi Mostrous and Frankie Vetch

Producer - Jonathan Lewis

Additional production - Amalie Sortland

Sound design - Dominic Delargy

Podcast illustration - Shonagh Rae

Editor - Jasper Corbett

Credits - Channel 4, Sky News, ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.