A Canadian woman, believed to have been involved in espionage, was detained by Belgian authorities after serving as an intern at NATO. Biwei Zhang, a systems engineer with a background in economics, was identified by CBC News. Her past employment history includes positions at the Canadian Space Agency and Statistics Canada. Zhang, described as a “Canadian national of Chinese origin,” underwent a search at her home and workplace at SHAPE, NATO’s military headquarters in Belgium, before being arrested on charges related to espionage.
Belgian authorities refrain from disclosing the identities of suspects during ongoing investigations. However, through investigative methods, CBC linked Zhang’s profiles on various platforms to the information provided by the Belgian prosecutors. Zhang, who also goes by Claire Zhang and Catina Zhang, had been actively seeking accommodation in Mons before starting her internships at SHAPE and the World Trade Organization, aligning with her work history.
Additional reports corroborated details about Zhang’s background and role at SHAPE. She is reported to have worked in the IT department, which aligns with her educational background in computer science. The investigation by European outlets further supported these findings. Zhang has not responded to requests for comment on her social media profiles.
The case has raised concerns regarding Canada’s security screening procedures. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has committed to investigating whether the individual had connections to Canadian agencies. Zhang’s LinkedIn profile indicates her previous roles at federal agencies, including the National Research Council, StatsCan, and the Canadian Space Agency.
The European Space Agency mentioned standard screening procedures for non-sensitive roles and relies on national security authorities for vetting in classified positions. Global Affairs Canada declined to comment on the ongoing investigation but emphasized the importance of security clearances for Canadians in international roles.
Zhang’s legal battle with the Public Service Commission of Canada over fraud allegations in a job application has also been noted. Former CSIS intelligence officer Dan Stanton highlighted the vulnerability of intern positions in organizations like NATO to potential security breaches. Despite the espionage concerns, Stanton views the investigation as a testament to the effectiveness of counter-espionage measures.