A NATO intern was detained in Belgium on suspicion of espionage
An intern who was completing an internship at a NATO facility was detained in Belgium. She is suspected of spying for a third country and of participating in a criminal organization. The detention took place after the woman drew the attention of the Alliance’s internal security service. The case is currently being handled by the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
An intern at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) was detained in Belgium. According to the country’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office, she is suspected of espionage on behalf of a third country. It is reported that the woman is a Canadian citizen of Chinese descent. She was participating in an internship at NATO, but subsequently came under the scrutiny of the Alliance’s internal security service.
Following an investigation, law enforcement officials opened a case. The suspect is accused not only of espionage but also of membership in a criminal organization. According to the prosecutor’s office, the arrest took place on Friday, July 24. The day before, on Thursday, Belgian police conducted searches at her residence and workplace.
So far, law enforcement officials have not disclosed which country the suspect is alleged to have been working for, according to the investigation. It is also unclear whether she had access to classified NATO information or documents.
The investigation is ongoing. The Belgian prosecutor’s office has not yet released any further details of the case. This was reported by Politico.
Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair announced it would scale back its operations in Belgium following the government’s decision to raise the air transport tax starting in 2027. The company called the new levy “absurd.”
