Brussels police officer under scrutiny for alleged spying and Russia links
Brussels police officer accused of espionage, links to Russia under investigation (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
In Brussels, a local police officer has been detained on suspicion of espionage for China, with the investigation also examining possible links to Russia, according to Politico.
The security officer, who works for the Brussels police, is accused of spying on behalf of China and potentially Russia. He was arrested last week but was later released under certain restrictions.
Sources indicate that the officer had access to the international diplomatic community in Brussels, allowing him to gather confidential information. His unit, in particular, oversees areas around European Union institutions.
Investigation progress
A spokesperson for the Brussels police confirmed that an internal investigation is underway but declined to comment on case details, citing the confidentiality of the inquiry. Belgium’s Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office and Federal Police also refrained from commenting.
Politico sources indicate that the main charge concerns espionage on behalf of China, while investigators are additionally examining whether the officer collected information for Russia.
Context and security
The arrest of the officer comes amid increasing pressure on Belgium’s security services. In February, Belgian media reported that Chinese hackers had infiltrated government security systems between 2021 and 2023, marking the largest data breach in the agency’s history.
The officer’s access to the diplomatic community makes the investigation particularly significant for the capital’s security structures. The police emphasized that appropriate measures will be taken based on the results of the internal inquiry.
On Monday, October 13, Belgium will receive the first four F-35 fighter jets from the US, paving the way for further deliveries of F-16 aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Ahead of the October 23 summit, Belgium stated it would not support granting Ukraine a €140 billion loan without legal guarantees and an equitable distribution of risks among all EU countries.
