Chinese-origin Canadian NATO intern arrested on spying suspicions

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Brussels: A Canadian citizen of Chinese origin interning at NATO has been arrested in Belgium on suspicion of carrying out espionage for a third country, official authorities announced on Saturday.

The intern worked at the US-led defense alliance’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium. She faces serious allegations of spying on behalf of an unnamed foreign nation and participating in a criminal organization.

The suspect first came to the attention of SHAPE's internal security services, who subsequently reported the matter directly to the General Intelligence and Security Service.

Following the report, the Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office entrusted the case to the federal judicial police in Charleroi. Law enforcement officers conducted searches at both the suspect's residence and workplace on Thursday.

A magistrate subsequently served her with a formal arrest warrant on Friday, though authorities have not yet specified the exact nature of the alleged espionage.