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Canadian suspect in Belgian espionage case appeals pre-trial detention decision

  • Jim Bronskill

  • Canadian Press

  • July 30, 2026

The NATO flag waves in the wind in front of the venue ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

OTTAWA -- The Belgian federal prosecutor's office says a Canadian facing espionage charges is appealing a decision to keep her in pretrial detention.

The prosecutor's office says a ruling on the appeal must come within 15 days.

After a closed-door hearing Tuesday, the office said the suspect would remain in custody.

The prosecutor's office announced Saturday that an investigating judge had placed the suspect -- a "Canadian national of Chinese origin" -- under arrest on charges of espionage and participation in a criminal organization.

The suspect worked as an intern at NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium.

The prosecutor's office said it does not disclose the identities of suspects in ongoing investigations, citing the presumption of innocence.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2026.