Belgium arrests NATO trainee suspected of spying
Searches were on Thursday, and the suspect was arrested on Friday (photo: Getty Images)
On July 24, Belgian police arrested a NATO trainee on suspicion of spying for a third country and membership in a criminal organization, according to Bloomberg.
The Federal Prosecutor's Office of Belgium says the trainee, a Canadian citizen of Chinese descent, worked at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), NATO's strategic military command based in Mons, Belgium. She "has come to the attention" of the security services during her training,
According to the prosecutor's office, Belgian authorities carried out searches of her home and office on Thursday. On Friday, an investigating judge ordered her arrest.
Belgian authorities have not identified the suspect or disclosed which third country she is alleged to have been spying for. However, SHAPE said her alleged activities had no negative impact on NATO.
"At this time, there is no indication that NATO or SHAPE operational readiness, command and control arrangements, or ongoing tasks have been adversely affected," SHAPE spokesperson Martin O'Donnell said.
The media notes that NATO headquarters is located in Brussels, while SHAPE, the alliance's strategic military command, is about 60 kilometers southwest of the Belgian capital.
Other espionage cases
Earlier this month, The Guardian reported that Russia had carried out a large-scale espionage operation targeting strategic nuclear facilities in several European countries over an 18-month period. The operation reportedly involved launching drones from vessels belonging to Russia's shadow fleet.
Media also previously reported that in June 2025, Greek authorities detained a man on suspicion of photographing the Souda naval base on the Greek island of Crete.
