- Biwei Zhang, a 33-year-old who has also used her English name, Claire Zhang, was charged with espionage while working for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the city of Mons.
- Documents filed in the Federal Court of Canada chronicle Ms. Zhang’s work history dating back to 2017, including stints at the National Research Council, Statistics Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
- Ms. Zhang filed her employment history and an affidavit in court when she unsuccessfully appealed a ruling that she had committed fraud within the civil service when she wrote the same job exam twice for a single posting at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
- At a Wednesday news conference in Toronto, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the probe is an active investigation and that Canadian officials have been involved from the start.
- A senior government source said the Prime Minister was referring to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), which declined to comment, citing that the matter is subject to a continuing investigation.
- The NATO intern arrested last month by Belgian authorities on espionage charges has a work history with the Canadian government that is more extensive than previously reported, according to employment records she filed in court.
- Authorities in Belgium have not publicly named the country Ms. Zhang is accused of spying on behalf of, but two Canadian national-security sources have previously told The Globe that Belgian prosecutors have accused her of working for China.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that Canadian officials have been involved 'from the start' in the espionage case against Biwei Zhang, a NATO intern charged with spying.1456
Zhang, 33, has a work history with the Canadian government dating back to 2017, including roles at the National Research Council, Statistics Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada.2
Documents filed in the Federal Court of Canada reveal her employment history and an affidavit related to a previous fraud ruling concerning her dual applications for a job at the Canada Border Services Agency.3
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) is reportedly involved in the ongoing investigation, although they declined to comment on the matter.
Carney stated, 'Any time you have a situation, you should take, you take stock and take lessons from this,' emphasizing the need for potential reforms in Canada's screening processes.
While Belgian authorities have not disclosed the country Zhang is accused of spying for, sources indicate it is China.10
The case raises significant concerns about national security and the integrity of Canada's vetting processes for government positions.
Zhang's situation has prompted discussions on the adequacy of current measures in place to prevent espionage within sensitive government roles.
“Biwei Zhang, 33, also known as Claire Zhang, was charged with espionage while working for NATO in Mons, and her employment records show stints at the National Research Council, Statistics Canada, and ESDC dating back to 2017. She previously lost an appeal over fraud for writing the same job exam twice for a CBSA posting.”
The Globe and Mail
