NATO intern arrested in Belgium on suspicion of espionage
A Canadian intern of Chinese origin working at NATO headquarters in Mons has been arrested in Belgium. She is suspected of espionage on behalf of a third country and membership of a criminal organisation.
NATO intern arrested in Belgium on suspicion of espionage
A Canadian of Chinese origin, who held a position as an intern within the NATO defence alliance in Belgium, has been placed in detention. She is suspected of having carried out espionage on behalf of a third country and of belonging to a criminal organisation, announced the Belgian prosecutor on Saturday morning in a statement.
The young woman was employed at NATO's strategic headquarters in Europe, known as Shape, which is located in the city of Mons. On 23 July, the federal police of Charleroi, a municipality situated nearby, conducted a search at her home as well as at her place of work. The prosecutor clarified that this operation followed a series of preliminary investigative measures.
It was the security personnel of Shape who first raised suspicions concerning an illegal involvement of the suspect. They subsequently contacted the Belgian military intelligence service, which transmitted the file to the federal prosecutor. The day after the searches, on 24 July, a judge ordered her arrest on the basis of charges for espionage and participation in a criminal organisation.
The age of the detainee was not disclosed. The prosecutor also did not specify the duration of her internship nor the exact presumed targets of her espionage activity.
Source: Politiken