Belgian Judge Extends Pre-Trial Detention of Canadian NATO Intern Accused of Spying
A Belgian court has denied bail to Biwei Zhang, a Canadian former NATO intern charged with espionage, keeping her in custody until a trial that may not start until next year.
Biwei Zhang, a 33-year-old Canadian who previously worked as an intern at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium, was denied bail by a Belgian judge and will remain in custody. The Chamber of Indictments ordered an additional month of pre-trial detention, and she must report to the court regularly to assess whether continued detention is warranted. Prosecutors have charged her with spying for a third country—sources say China—and with membership in a criminal organization, a charge frequently used by Belgian authorities.
Experts note the case will likely serve as a “test case” for Belgium’s updated espionage laws introduced in 2024, which broaden the definition of intelligence-gathering offenses. While the trial could be postponed until at least next year, the allegations have sparked scrutiny of Canada’s security-clearance procedures and prompted parliamentary committees to review screening practices. The Chinese embassy in Canada has dismissed the accusations as unfounded, and Zhang and her lawyer have not commented.
Why it matters
The detention of a Canadian NATO intern on espionage charges raises concerns about security clearances and international intelligence tensions.
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