- A Canadian intern working at the NATO military alliance has been arrested on suspicion of spying for another country.
- Belgium’s federal prosecutor stated the intern was a woman of Chinese origin, though the country she is alleged to have spied for was not specified.
- She was arrested on Friday and is also accused of being a member of a criminal organisation.
- The suspected spy first came to the attention of security services at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), NATO's military command in Belgium.
- After SHAPE was made aware of the potential espionage, the case was referred to Belgian intelligence services and a police investigation was launched.
- The investigation led to searches of the woman’s home and place of work on Thursday, including support from specialist investigators from the Belgian police’s computer crimes unit.
- A judge then decided to place her under arrest.
A Canadian intern at NATO was arrested in Belgium on Friday, facing serious allegations of espionage and membership in a criminal organization. The intern, described as a woman of Chinese origin, worked at NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium.1234
The case came to light when security services at SHAPE flagged her activities, prompting a referral to Belgian intelligence. This led to a police investigation, which included searches of her home and workplace, supported by the Belgian police's computer crimes unit.
A judge subsequently ordered her arrest, although the specific country she is accused of spying for has not been disclosed. NATO, along with the Canadian and Chinese embassies, has been approached for comments regarding the incident.
The arrest raises significant concerns about security within NATO, particularly regarding potential infiltration by foreign agents. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities continue to probe the intern's activities.
“She has come to the attention” of security services, according to the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations against her.
The implications of this case could have far-reaching effects on international relations and NATO's internal security protocols.
“The intern, a Canadian woman of Chinese origin, first came to the attention of security services at NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) near Mons, Belgium. She was also accused of membership in a criminal organization, and a judge ordered her arrest after searches of her home and workplace.”
The Times
