Canadian NATO Intern Arrested in Belgium on Spy Allegations

Belgian prosecutors have detained a Canadian intern at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, accusing her of spying for China. The suspect, identified as Biwei Zhang – also known as Claire Zhang and Catina Zhang – is a Chinese‑born Canadian who previously worked for Statistics Canada, the Canadian Space Agency, the European Space Agency and the World Trade Organization.

The arrest followed a tip from NATO security services that Zhang spent excessive time in sensitive facilities and asked numerous questions. Prosecutors say she is suspected of espionage on behalf of a third country and of belonging to a criminal organization. Her pre‑trial detention was extended by a month, and she has filed an appeal. Separate court documents reveal she had earlier committed fraud by submitting two applications under slightly different identities for a Canada Border Services Agency job, leading a public‑service watchdog to order her to take an ethics course.

No detailed charges have been released, and Chinese officials have not commented on the allegations.