Canadian intern arrested for spying at NATO military base in Belgium

A Canadian woman of Chinese origin who worked as an intern at NATO’s strategic military headquarters in Belgium has been arrested on espionage allegations, Belgian authorities confirmed on Saturday, July 25.

The arrest follows a counterintelligence investigation initiated after security officials at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), located in Mons, flagged the suspect and referred her case to Belgian intelligence agencies.

"She is suspected of spying on behalf of a third country and of being a member of a criminal organisation," the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office said in an official statement, cited by Reuters.

Following the initial intelligence referral, law enforcement officers conducted search warrants at both the suspect's residence and her workplace within the SHAPE facility. She was formally taken into custody and placed under arrest on Friday.

Belgian prosecutors declined to disclose the identity of the suspect or specify the foreign nation or entity she is alleged to have been working for, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

SHAPE serves as the central operational command for the 32-member transatlantic alliance, holding primary responsibility for the strategic planning and execution of all NATO military operations worldwide.

Despite the breach at the high-level facility, alliance officials stated that core functions and operational integrity remained uncompromised.

A SHAPE spokesperson confirmed there was no indication that NATO or SHAPE operational readiness, command and control arrangements, or ongoing tasks had been affected by the incident.

"SHAPE continues to fulfil its responsibilities without interruption," the spokesperson said.

The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office stated it would issue no further comments while investigative proceedings continue.

By Tamilla Hasanova