Chinese industrial espionage: former Belgan executive arrested at Zaventem
A 52-year-old man holding both Belgian and Chinese nationality was arrested at Zaventem airport, suspected of transmitting technological secrets from the company Belgan to China.
Former Belgan research manager placed under arrest warrant for espionage
Belgian justice has placed under arrest warrant a 52-year-old man holding both Belgian and Chinese nationality, suspected of industrial espionage on behalf of China, according to rtl.be. The case concerns Belgan, a semiconductor manufacturer based in Audenarde, which went into bankruptcy in 2024.
The suspect held a management position in Belgan's research department. At the same time, he was leading a Chinese company active in the same sector, established shortly after he took up his position at Belgan and financed by a Chinese investment fund.
According to the justice system's suspicions, the man exploited his position to collect sensitive technical information, which was subsequently transmitted to this Chinese company. Ann Lukowiak, spokesperson for the federal prosecutor's office, detailed the charges: "He is accused of elements of espionage, but also of unlawfully transmitting intellectual property to China, abuse of company assets and participation in a criminal organisation."
The arrest took place on 10 May at Zaventem airport, as the suspect was about to board a flight to China. Since then, he has been held in preventive detention in Audenarde. His lawyer, Dimitri de Béco, indicated that his client contests all the facts: "My client remains in detention but he contests all the facts alleged against him."
Searches were conducted as part of the investigation. Computer equipment and electronic communications were seized and are currently being analysed. The spokesperson for the Antwerp prosecutor's office emphasised the sensitivity of the technologies involved: "This is precise and specialised technology because it can be used in electric vehicles, in the space sector but also military."
A second suspect is still actively being sought in this case: the chief executive officer of the Belgan company.
Source: Google News BE FR