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Canadian NATO Intern Faces Espionage Charges in Belgium as Ottawa Vows Investigation
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says Canada will review its security screening after a Canadian woman working at NATO's military headquarters in Mons was arrested on spying allegations
Published: July 28, 2026
Belgian federal prosecutors say a Canadian national arrested in Belgium is facing charges of espionage and participation in a criminal organization after working as an intern at NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons. The suspect, who has not been publicly named, reportedly drew the attention of SHAPE's internal security services, who alerted Belgium's military intelligence agency before her arrest.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the federal government takes the allegations extremely seriously and will examine whether the individual had any connection to Canadian government agencies. He declined to speculate on the specifics of the case while it remains before Belgian authorities, but said Ottawa intends to review its own security screening processes for citizens posted to sensitive international roles.
The case has drawn attention to the vetting procedures used for Canadians who take up postings at NATO facilities across Europe, and comes amid heightened concern among Western allies about foreign intelligence infiltration of military and defence institutions. Officials say they want to ensure similar incidents cannot happen again as Canada deepens its involvement in European security structures.
