The Canberra branch of Guan Yin Citta, a Buddhist association, remains at the center of an escalating foreign interference investigation following the charging of two additional Chinese nationals on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The pair, a 25-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court facing charges of reckless foreign interference, according to reports.
Authorities allege the two individuals worked in concert with a woman previously arrested and charged in connection with the same case, operating under the direction of a public security bureau in China. The investigation, dubbed Operation Autumn-Shield, commenced in March 2025 after intelligence was provided by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
The charges against the man allege the alleged foreign interference activities began in May 2022 and continued until the present day. Both individuals are currently subject to a temporary suppression order preventing the release of certain details pertaining to the case. They are expected to apply for bail on Thursday, February 12, at which time the court will review the suppression order.
This brings the total number of people charged with foreign interference offences related to the investigation to five, marking a significant development in the application of foreign interference laws introduced by the Commonwealth in 2018. Australian Federal Police (AFP) Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt stated that foreign interference represents a serious crime that undermines both democratic processes and social cohesion.
The Guan Yin Citta Buddhist association has seen increased scrutiny as part of the investigation. An Instagram post from the organization’s UK branch on February 15, 2026, received no likes or comments, a detail that does not directly relate to the ongoing investigation in Australia but highlights the organization’s international presence.
The AFP has not released further details regarding the specific nature of the information allegedly gathered or the intended purpose of the alleged interference. The case remains ongoing, with the next court appearance scheduled for Thursday, February 12, to address bail applications and the status of the suppression order.
