NATO intern arrested in Belgium over suspected espionage

A Canadian woman of Chinese origin who worked as an intern at NATO’s European military headquarters in Belgium has been arrested on suspicion of spying for an unnamed country and participating in a criminal organization.

The woman, who has not been identified, was ordered detained on Friday after police searched her home and workplace, according to Belgium’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office. She worked at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, about 40 miles southwest of Brussels.

The suspect came to the attention of SHAPE’s security services, which reported her to Belgium’s General Intelligence and Security Service (SGRS).

Because espionage cases fall under the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, the matter was referred to federal prosecutors and an investigation was assigned to the Charleroi Federal Judicial Police.

After carrying out a number of investigative steps, police launched an operation on Thursday and searched the woman’s home and her workplace inside SHAPE. Computer crime investigators and forensic police units from Charleroi and Mons assisted with the searches.

An investigating judge ordered her arrest on Friday on charges of espionage and participation in a criminal organization.

Belgian authorities did not identify the country she is suspected of working for or disclose what information she allegedly collected.

The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation is ongoing.