An alleged spy at NATO’s doorstep: What happened at SHAPE?

A Canadian national of Chinese origin has until later today to appeal a decision that placed her in one-month pretrial custody after being arrested for allegedly spying for a foreign power at a major NATO base in Belgium, a spokesperson for the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office (FPO) told Euronews on Wednesday.

Canadian television network CTV reported that the individual was denied bail on Tuesday during a closed-door pretrial hearing.

While there have been no public political comments regarding the charges laid against the intern accused of spying while at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in the Belgian city of Mons, the legal developments, particularly the refusal of bail, underscore the veracity of the charges.

The incident, however, leaves a host of questions unanswered — most notably how an alleged spy was able to enter Belgium, a Benelux country that has hosted NATO headquarters for nearly six decades, and gather information on behalf of a foreign power.

Euronews explains how the legal case is unfolding, what is at stake, and who could be responsible.

Is it China?

Belgian authorities have not publicly identified the country the individual is suspected of spying for, but have confirmed that she is a Canadian national of Chinese origin and was arrested on Friday on suspicion of espionage on behalf of a “third country”.

In 2021, the 32-member NATO alliance —which includes Canada — formally described China as a “security challenge” alongside Russia and threats emanating from the Middle East.

Back then, NATO accused Beijing of working to undermine the rules-based international order and raised concerns about the rapid expansion of China’s nuclear arsenal. Beijing rejected the characterisation, arguing that its military development was defensive.

While we do not know who the Canadian national was allegedly working with, espionage at NATO is not a new phenomenon. In 2020 a senior French army officer was investigated for a suspected “breach of security” while stationed at a NATO base in Italy.

The investigation related to the individual passing on sensitive information to Russian intelligence services, with anonymous officials stating at the time this risked France’s fundamental interests.

What do we know so far?

The Canadian intern of Chinese origin first “came to the attention” of SHAPE’s security services who then tipped her off to Belgium’s intelligence and security service, the Service Général du Renseignement et de la Sécurité (SGRS), according to the FPO spokesperson.

The case, investigated by the local Federal Judicial Police of Charleroi, was then deemed “sufficiently serious” and passed onto the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office where an investigating judge was appointed, they added.

On Thursday, the Charleroi police raided the individual’s apartment located in the city centre as well as her Mons office. An investigating judge at the Hainaut Court of First Instance ordered her detention the following day, on Friday, and she was placed under arrest for two charges.

Firstly, for alleged espionage on behalf of a third country, and secondly, for participating in a criminal organisation. If the individual lodges an appeal for the one-month pretrial custody before the Wednesday afternoon deadline, she must appear before a court in the next 15 days, the spokesperson said.

Who is she?

Reuters news agency, citing a security source, said the individual is known as Claire Z. She is reportedly a woman in her 30s working at SHAPE’s IT department, and is close to completing her internship.

Her background has raised questions about how the NATO internship system vets people entering one of the Alliance’s most strategically important facilities.

According to SHAPE’s official website, the responsibility to ensure intern candidates meet the appropriate security clearance to participate in the internship programme is of the host nation. The capitals must produce a security receipt for the individual to lodge an internship application.

Euronews contacted the office of Canada’s foreign affairs minister to clarify whether Canadian authorities had cooperated with their Belgian counterparts in the investigation. No response had been received by the time of publication.

Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, however, said on Monday that they were committed to “get to the bottom” of the arrest, and to ensure it does not occur again.

“As a country, we will continue to investigate the processes we have and the security screening,” he said.

What is SHAPE?

NATO’s political headquarters sits in Brussels, where ambassadors from the Alliance’s 32 member states meet to debate issues ranging from defence spending and Russia’s war in Ukraine to cyber threats and incursions by drones.

The military muscle of the Alliance is headquartered roughly 70 kilometres south of the Belgian capital. This is SHAPE, located near the French border, serving as NATO’s strategic military headquarters and the base of Allied Command Operations. It is where military officials plan and coordinate the Alliance’s operations.

NATO’s Cyber Security Centre is also based at SHAPE.

A SHAPE spokesperson told Euronews there is no indication that the alleged espionage activity has disrupted NATO’s military machinery. “At this time, there is no indication that NATO or SHAPE operational readiness, command and control arrangements, or ongoing tasks have been adversely affected,” they said.

“SHAPE continues to fulfil its responsibilities without interruption. And NATO remains fully committed to protecting Allied personnel, safeguarding classified information, and maintaining the trust and security upon which the Alliance depends.”

What do interns do at SHAPE?

According to SHAPE’s official website, its internship program welcomes 35 interns per year, aiming to introduce young candidates of different backgrounds into a variety of areas as part of the strategic base’s operations.

Typical tasks include assisting with the drafting and preparation of official documents, attending and summarising council and committee meetings and conferences, and conducting research.

Applicants must be at least 21 and normally no older than 35, unless they are engaged in a PhD programme relevant to SHAPE. They must also be citizens of a NATO member state and proficient in English.

Euronews asked SHAPE whether bringing interns into the organisation creates a security vulnerability for the Alliance. The spokesperson did not directly answer the question, instead reiterating NATO’s commitment to protecting personnel and classified information.

“NATO remains fully committed to protecting Allied personnel, safeguarding classified information, and maintaining the trust and security upon which the Alliance depends,” the spokesperson said.