Key facts
- A Canadian national of Chinese origin has appealed a one-month pre-trial detention order.
- The individual was arrested on suspicion of espionage activities for a third country.
- The alleged spying occurred while the person was interning at a NATO hub in Belgium.
- Belgian authorities are leading the investigation.
- The appeal has been lodged with the Indictments Chamber.
A Canadian national of Chinese origin has appealed a one-month pre-trial detention order after being arrested on suspicion of spying for a third country while interning at a strategic North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) center in southern Belgium. The appeal was lodged with the Indictments Chamber, which must rule on the matter within 15 days. The suspect is being investigated for espionage activities and for being a member of a criminal organisation. The individual, identified by Reuters as a woman in her 30s named Claire Z, worked in the IT department at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), NATO's strategic military headquarters. Her apartment and office were raided, and she was arrested on Friday. Belgian authorities are leading the investigation.