A Canadian intern working at NATO’s military headquarters in Belgium has been ordered to remain in custody after a closed-door bail hearing Tuesday. The suspect, whose name has not been released, faces allegations of spying for a third country and being part of a criminal organization, according to Belgian prosecutors. The Belgian federal prosecutor's office confirmed that the intern will continue to be held in pretrial detention pending further investigation.
The case has drawn attention due to the suspect’s role as an intern at NATO, a key military alliance. Details of the specific alleged espionage activities have not been disclosed. The hearing took place behind closed doors, consistent with Belgian procedures for sensitive national security cases.
Both reports from Global News and CBC agree that the suspect was denied bail and will stay in custody. Neither report indicates when a trial might begin or how long the investigation may take. The maximum penalty for espionage in Belgium is up to 25 years in prison. The Canadian government has not issued a statement.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about foreign intelligence operations targeting NATO personnel and facilities. Belgian authorities are leading the investigation, with NATO security reportedly cooperating.