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Belgian authorities arrested a Canadian woman of Chinese origin who was interning at NATO’s military headquarters on suspicion of spying for a third country and belonging to a criminal organization, the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office said Saturday.
The woman, whose name was not released, worked at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, or SHAPE, NATO’s strategic military command in Mons, about 60 kilometers southwest of Brussels.
SHAPE security officials first raised concerns about the intern and referred the matter to Belgium’s General Intelligence and Security Service, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Belgian police searched the suspect’s home and workplace Thursday. An investigating judge issued an arrest warrant Friday and ordered her detention.
Because espionage cases fall under the authority of Belgium’s federal prosecutor, the matter was immediately referred to the office, which assigned the investigation to the federal judicial police in Charleroi.
An initial report was prepared alleging espionage and participation in a criminal organization.
The case was later assigned to an investigating judge at the Court of First Instance of Hainaut’s Mons division.
Belgian prosecutors did not identify the third country the woman was allegedly working for or provide further details about the suspected activity.
SHAPE spokesperson Martin O’Donnell said there was no indication that the alleged activity had affected NATO or SHAPE operations.
“At this time, there is no indication that NATO or SHAPE operational readiness, command and control arrangements, or ongoing tasks have been adversely affected,” O’Donnell said.
“SHAPE continues to fulfil its responsibilities without interruption.”
SHAPE is NATO’s military strategic headquarters, where alliance commanders plan and carry out global operations and coordinate responses to threats.
NATO’s civilian headquarters is located on the outskirts of Brussels, while SHAPE is based near Mons in western Belgium.
Belgium also hosts the European Commission and dozens of other European Union agencies.
The country has previously faced foreign espionage attempts.
A Chinese cyberattack targeting Belgian intelligence services was disclosed last year, while a Belgian police officer was detained on suspicion of spying for China and Russia.
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