A police officer serving in the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles zone has reportedly been arrested and charged with espionage offences, with investigations focusing on alleged links to China and Russia.
According to Politico, the officer was taken into custody on October 2 after authorities carried out a search of his home. Though later released under strict conditions, he remains under investigation for suspected involvement in intelligence activities.
Sources familiar with the case told the publication that the officer is suspected of spying for China and possibly Russia. The allegations reportedly involve taking or sharing images of individuals opposing the Chinese and Russian regimes during demonstrations held in Brussels.
Belgian public broadcaster RTBF confirmed that the officer in question works within the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone. Investigators believe he may have been targeted due to his access to the “international diplomatic world,” a network deeply embedded in Brussels, home to the European Union and NATO headquarters.
The judicial inquiry is being led by Belgium’s General Inspectorate in collaboration with the federal police and the federal prosecutor’s office. Their focus is to determine whether the officer knowingly collaborated with foreign intelligence services or whether any information he handled was misused without his awareness.
A spokesperson for the Brussels local police told RTBF that an internal investigation has been launched. “Appropriate measures will be taken based on the results,” the spokesperson said, without offering further details on the officer’s current status within the force.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has reportedly declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, citing the sensitivity of the case and the early stage of judicial proceedings.
Espionage investigations involving members of law enforcement are rare in Belgium but have drawn heightened attention amid growing concerns about foreign intelligence operations in Europe. Brussels, as the diplomatic heart of the European Union, has long been a hotspot for espionage activities by state and non-state actors.
The case also comes as European intelligence agencies increase their scrutiny of foreign interference, particularly from China and Russia, following a series of incidents involving suspected infiltration attempts across EU institutions and national governments.
Authorities have not disclosed the officer’s identity, rank, or whether additional individuals may be implicated. However, the investigation underscores Belgium’s ongoing struggle to balance its open international environment with the need to safeguard sensitive information and national security.
As inquiries continue, the case is expected to test the resilience of Belgium’s internal security protocols and raise further questions about the extent of foreign intelligence influence in Europe’s political capital.
