Belgian Authorities Detain Former Researcher in Major Espionage Case Involving Bankrupt Chipmaker

The suspect was taken into custody in May, shortly before his scheduled departure for Beijing, although authorities released the arrest details only later.

Prosecutors are investigating charges of espionage, involvement in a criminal organization, misuse of company assets, and illicit disclosure of trade secrets connected to BELGAN BV, the Belgian semiconductor firm that declared bankruptcy in 2024, leaving its 400 remaining staff unemployed.

According to prosecutor statements, the 52‑year‑old individual held a senior research role at BELGAN and simultaneously served as director of a Chinese counterpart installing comparable manufacturing facilities, funded by a Chinese investment group.

“The investigation may point to the unlawful transfer abroad of specialised intellectual property and trade secrets relating to the production of gallium nitride chips,” the Federal Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.

The technology underpins electric vehicles, aerospace systems, and defence applications.

Prosecutors told Euronews that a second suspect remains at large. Search operations uncovered concealed data stations, which have since been identified and seizure orders issued; however, according to RTBF, the detained man disputes the allegations.

Belgian authorities had previously opened an inquiry into BELGAN’s 2024 bankruptcy. The venture was developing next‑generation chips and had been partially taken over by Hong Kong–based Chinese investors, who appointed local managers at the Belgian subsidiary.

The same investors allegedly founded a parallel entity, GaNkool, in mainland China and transferred confidential licences and technology to it.

Chinese espionage cases on the rise

Several China‑related espionage investigations have been launched across Europe in recent months. In June, a Canadian intern of Chinese origin was arrested in Mons, Belgium.

The suspect worked in IT at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and possessed access to sensitive data.

In 2025, Jian Guo, a former assistant of Chinese origin employed by German far‑right legislator Maximilian Krah at the European Parliament, was sentenced to five years imprisonment for transferring sensitive EU documents to Beijing.

And in the United Kingdom, two British‑Chinese dual nationals were convicted and imprisoned this summer for surveilling exiled Hong Kong dissidents on British soil.

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