#1: Good question, I pondered a few things when I read the complaint which emphasized the defendant's loyalty to the CCP. The two are charged with lying and smuggling, not terrorism-related charges and the AUSA press release did not cite the relevant law: 18 US Code 175.

The Trumpf junta is maximizing the anti-Beijing angle of this case which helps their overall narrative. Nevertheless, the two defendants willfully smuggled pathogens into the US and China was previously implicated in the covert biolab found in California. Whether Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are dupes in the instant offense or forced by the CCP to do this remains to be seen.

#8: That would help explain the phraseology in the AUSA press release: A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.

In essence the two allegedly brought in the fungus without declaring it at the airport, making the crime "smuggling." The AUSA hyped up the language in the paperwork to demonize China. And as someone else posted in the thread, we may never know the truth. Hence the AUSA phraseology: "A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment."