A Canadian woman of Chinese origin who was working as an intern at NATO’s military headquarters in Belgium has been arrested on suspicion of espionage, Belgian prosecutors said on Saturday.
“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 a statement, News.Az reports, citing Reuters.
The Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), NATO’s top military headquarters, is the base of Allied Command Operations, which is responsible for planning and conducting operations for the 32-member transatlantic security alliance.
According to prosecutors, the suspect came to the attention of SHAPE’s security services, which reported her to Belgian intelligence authorities.
Investigators searched the suspect’s home and her workplace at SHAPE, and she was placed under arrest on Friday.
A SHAPE spokesperson said there was no indication that NATO or SHAPE’s operational readiness, command and control arrangements, or ongoing missions had been affected.
“SHAPE continues to fulfil its responsibilities without interruption,” the spokesperson said.
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office said it would not provide further comments while the investigation remains ongoing.