Belgian prosecutors are holding a 52-year-old dual Chinese-Belgian national on suspicion of espionage in a case involving advanced semiconductor technology with applications in electric vehicles, aerospace systems and the military.

The suspect previously held a senior position at Belgian semiconductor manufacturer BelGaN, a specialized producer of gallium nitride chips. The company was declared bankrupt in July 2024.

Authorities allege that while working at BelGaN, the man simultaneously served as a director of a Chinese company manufacturing the same type of semiconductor technology. That company was established only months after he joined BelGaN and was financed by a Chinese investment fund.

Belgian prosecutors suspect that the executive illegally transferred specialized intellectual property and corporate trade secrets from BelGaN to the Chinese company, including information related to the production of gallium nitride chips.

The man was arrested in May at Brussels Airport in Zaventem while preparing to board a flight to Beijing. He has remained in pretrial detention since his arrest.

Prosecutors also disclosed that a second suspect connected to the investigation remains at large.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)