A Canadian woman identified as Biwei Zhang has been arrested by Belgian authorities on charges of espionage and participation in a criminal organization while working as an intern at NATO’s military headquarters, according to investigative reporting and prosecutorial records. Zhang, a systems engineer with a background in economics, was taken into custody following searches of her home and her workplace at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium, which were conducted by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
Identification and Background of the Accused
Belgian courts do not publicly identify defendants in criminal investigations until a trial begins, meaning the Belgian prosecutor’s office declined to confirm Zhang’s identity to media outlets, citing respect for the presumption of innocence. However, a CBC News investigation matched the description provided by Belgian authorities—who described the suspect as a “Canadian national of Chinese origin”—with open-source information from LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, a graduate thesis, and a federal court case.
While Biwei Zhang is her legal name, she uses Claire Zhang professionally and Catina Zhang on Facebook. Social media posts from July 2025 show Zhang seeking a room to rent in Mons for a six-month internship at SHAPE, where a security source told Reuters she worked in the IT department. Reuters and European investigative outlet Follow the Money previously reported details identifying the suspect as Claire Z., noting she is in her 30s and not a student. Her Facebook username, “biwei.zhang.93,” suggests a birth year of 1993.
Did You Know? Biwei Zhang completed a master’s degree in computer science and systems engineering at the University of Ottawa in 2022, according to academic and professional records.
Professional History Across Canadian and International Agencies
Zhang’s online resume indicates she held multiple positions across Canadian federal agencies and international organizations prior to her NATO internship. According to her LinkedIn profile, she worked as a data scientist for the National Research Council for six months in 2017, an economist for Statistics Canada from April 2018 to October 2022, and a systems engineer at the Canadian Space Agency starting in May 2022.
She also listed experience as a policy analyst for the European Space Agency and the economic research and statistics division of the World Trade Organization, alongside roles on “mirror committees” for the Standards Council of Canada. The European Space Agency stated it applies standard screening for non-cleared roles while relying on national security authorities for comprehensive vetting when classified data is involved. Meanwhile, a federal judge dismissed a August 2024 judicial review requested by Zhang regarding a Public Service Commission finding that she committed fraud on a Canada Border Services Agency application by using two different names and email addresses.
National Security Implications and Screening Concerns
The arrest has generated scrutiny regarding Canada’s security screening mechanisms. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree stated that Canada will investigate whether the individual worked for Canadian agencies, emphasizing the need to get to the bottom of the incident and prevent future occurrences.
Global Affairs Canada noted that the federal government makes the final decisions to grant, deny, or revoke security clearances for Canadians seeking positions with international organizations like NATO, following security assessments by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Global Affairs declined to comment specifically on Zhang’s case due to the ongoing investigation.
Expert Insight: Former CSIS intelligence officer Dan Stanton noted that intern positions often serve as an “in-road” for intelligence gathering because critical secrets are frequently gathered through casual conversations rather than direct file thefts. Stanton characterized the investigation as proof that counter-espionage processes function effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the suspect arrested?
The suspect was arrested in Belgium following searches of her home and her workplace at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons.
What charges does she face?
She is facing charges of espionage and participation in a criminal organization.
How long will she remain in custody?
Belgian officials stated that the alleged spy will remain in pretrial custody for at least another month as the investigation continues.
What steps should international organizations take to screen interns handling sensitive IT infrastructure?
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