Criminal investigation

Senior Belgian spy accused of sharing secrets with Russia

A senior Belgian intelligence officer is under investigation over allegedly sharing secrets with the Russians, in a case that exposes fears about spying inthe European Union and Nato.

An unnamed major who is the head of division at the general intelligence and security service (GISS), the equivalent of M16, is accused of having exchanged confidential information with a Serbian woman believed to be a Russian agent.

In another blow to the agency, it emerged that Clement Vandenborre, the head of counter-intelligence at GISS, was suspended from his post at the end of last month. He is alleged to have shredded confidential documents, according to the Flemish daily De Morgen, which broke the story on Vandenborre and the Russian spying allegations.

A spokesperson for Belgium’s defence ministry confirmed that an investigation was under way. “In order not to hinder this investigation, we will not comment on this subject,” the spokesperson said.