Canadian NATO intern to remain in Belgian custody on spying charge

A Canadian national of Chinese origin, who was interning at NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium, will continue to be held in pretrial detention on charges of espionage. Belgian prosecutors announced the arrest on Saturday, stating the suspect is accused of espionage and participation in a criminal organization.

The woman, whose name has not been publicly released, came to the attention of SHAPE's security services. These services subsequently reported the matter to Belgium's military intelligence agency, leading to her arrest. The specifics of the alleged spying activities have not been disclosed.

Following a closed-door hearing on Tuesday, the Belgian federal prosecutor's office confirmed that the suspect would remain in custody. In cases where pretrial detention is maintained, suspects typically appear before the court once a month during the initial three months, according to the prosecutor's office.