Canadian intern at NATO military HQ arrested in Belgium on spying charge

Belgian prosecutors announced Saturday the arrest of a Canadian woman of Chinese origin who was interning at NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium. She faces charges of spying on behalf of a third country and membership in a criminal organization.

The suspect was employed as an intern at SHAPE, NATO's primary military headquarters located in Mons, Belgium. Prosecutors did not disclose her identity or the specific country she is suspected of spying for. The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the charges in a statement but offered no further details as the investigation proceeds.

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She is suspected of spying on behalf of a third country and of being a member of a criminal organisation.

According to the statement, SHAPE's security services identified the suspect, leading to her being reported to Belgian intelligence officials. Investigators searched her home and workplace at SHAPE before she was taken into custody on Friday.

A spokesperson for SHAPE assured that the incident has not impacted the alliance's operational readiness, command and control systems, or ongoing tasks. The spokesperson affirmed that SHAPE continues to fulfill its responsibilities without interruption. The prosecutor's office stated it would refrain from further comment while the investigation is ongoing.

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SHAPE continues to fulfil its responsibilities without interruption.