A Canadian intern has been arrested in Belgium on suspicion of espionage linked to NATO’s military headquarters.
Belgian federal prosecutors said the individual is suspected of spying on behalf of a third country and of being a member of a criminal organisation.
The investigation focuses on the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium, NATO’s operational military headquarters, where officials coordinate joint planning, strategy and operational command for the alliance.
NATO’s political headquarters is located in Brussels, where representatives from its 32 member states meet to discuss defence policy, cyber threats, military spending and regional security. The alliance’s cyber security centre is also based at SHAPE.
NATO officials stated that the arrest has not affected military 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. SHAPE continues to fulfil its responsibilities without interruption,” said Colonel Martin L. O’Donnell, spokesperson for SHAPE.
The investigation comes amid heightened security concerns involving China. NATO leaders have previously described Beijing as posing “systemic challenges to the rules-based international order and to areas relevant to alliance security,” citing concerns over military expansion, cyber threats and disinformation campaigns.
China has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that its military development is defensive in nature.
The case also unfolds as NATO faces renewed political pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged European allies to increase defence spending, assume a greater role in regional security and support military efforts against Iran.
Belgian authorities have not released the identity of the suspect or identified the country allegedly involved in the espionage investigation. The inquiry remains ongoing.
