A Belgian police officer, recently arrested and charged with espionage, has been identified as a member of the City of Brussels local police unit. This information was confirmed by local media and a source familiar with the situation.
The officer, who reportedly had access to the international diplomatic community in Brussels, was taken into custody last Thursday. Following the arrest, he was released under strict conditions, as initially reported.
Internal investigation underway
A spokesperson for the local police service, which oversees the City of Brussels—the largest municipality in the Brussels metropolitan area—and Ixelles, stated, “We can confirm that an internal investigation is currently underway.” The spokesperson further emphasized that no additional comments would be provided while the inquiry is ongoing, indicating that appropriate actions will be determined based on its findings.
The federal prosecutor’s office, alongside federal law enforcement agencies, has refrained from commenting on the ongoing case.
Espionage for China and potential links to Russia
The police unit responsible for the City of Brussels also oversees the vicinity of European Union institutions. Reports indicate that the charges against the officer involve espionage activities linked to China, with suggestions of possible investigations into his connections with Russian interests.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny on Belgium’s security agencies. Earlier this year, the Belgian newspaper Le Soir disclosed that Chinese hackers had breached state security systems from 2021 to 2023, marking the largest data breach in the agency’s history.
“We will not comment further while the process is ongoing. Appropriate measures will be taken based on the conclusions of this inquiry,” the spokesperson stated.