Belgian authorities arrested a 24-year-old Canadian woman on suspicion of espionage while she was serving as an intern at NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium. The suspect, whose name has not been released, was detained earlier this month following an investigation by Belgian security services.
According to a spokesperson for the Belgian federal prosecutor, the woman is accused of collecting sensitive information to share with a foreign power. Officials stated that she had been working within the alliance's operational headquarters for several months. A NATO official confirmed the arrest and noted that the alliance is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
While the specific foreign power involved has not been named in official court documents, sources familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that the investigation focuses on potential links to China. The suspect remains in custody as Belgian prosecutors and intelligence services examine the extent of the information accessed.
The Canadian government confirmed it is aware of the situation. Global Affairs Canada stated that consular officials are providing assistance to a Canadian citizen detained in Belgium but declined to provide further details, citing privacy laws. This incident follows a series of recent warnings from European intelligence agencies regarding foreign interference and espionage activities within international organizations.