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Canadian intern at NATO military HQ arrested in Belgium on spying charge
🇦🇷 Argentina /Conflict & Security

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

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Under investigation
  • A Canadian intern of Chinese origin has been arrested in Belgium on suspicion of spying for a third country while working at NATO's military headquarters.
  • Belgian prosecutors confirmed the arrest, stating she is suspected of espionage and membership in a criminal organization.
  • NATO confirmed that the incident has not affected its operational readiness or ongoing tasks.

A Canadian woman, identified as being of Chinese origin, has been arrested in Belgium on charges of espionage. The intern was working at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), NATO's primary military command center, located in Mons.

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

— Federal Public Prosecutor's OfficeConfirming the charges against the Canadian intern.

Belgian federal prosecutors announced the arrest, stating the woman is suspected of spying on behalf of an unspecified third country and of being part of a criminal organization. Details regarding her identity and the specific country or group she allegedly worked for have not been disclosed.

SHAPE's security services reportedly flagged the suspect, leading to an investigation by Belgian intelligence officials. Authorities searched her home and workplace at SHAPE before her arrest on Friday. The statement from the prosecutor's office indicated that no further comments would be made as the investigation is ongoing.

There was no indication that NATO or SHAPE operational readiness, command and control arrangements or ongoing tasks had been affected.

— SHAPE spokespersonReassuring that the incident did not compromise NATO's functions.

A spokesperson for SHAPE assured that the incident has not impacted the alliance's operational readiness, command structures, or current missions. The headquarters continues to function without interruption.

SHAPE continues to fulfil its responsibilities without interruption.

— SHAPE spokespersonEmphasizing the continued operational capacity of NATO.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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