Canadian NATO intern to stay in Belgian custody on spying charge: officials – National

A Canadian facing espionage charges in Belgium will remain in custody for the time being.

Following a closed-door hearing Tuesday, the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office said the suspect would continue to be held in pretrial detention.

The prosecutor’s office announced Saturday that “a Canadian national of Chinese origin” had been arrested on charges of espionage and participation in a criminal organization.

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The suspect, who has not been publicly named, worked as an intern at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium.

The prosecutor’s office said she came to the attention of SHAPE’s security services, who reported the matter to Belgium’s military intelligence agency.

In cases where pretrial detention is maintained, a suspect generally appears before the court once a month during the first three months, the office said.