A 52-year-old man with dual Belgian and Chinese citizenship was detained on May 10, 2026 at Zaventem Airport, while he was preparing to board a flight to Beijing. He is suspected of illegally transferring sensitive technologies for the production of gallium nitride (GAN) chips from the Belgian company Belgan to a Chinese firm he ran in parallel. The investigation is linked to the Belgan bankruptcy in July 2024, which has affected more than 400 employees.

(Staff: Belgium / Justice & Industrial Espionage)

An investigation by the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office brought to light an industrial espionage case that would have affected one of the most important semiconductor companies in Belgium. A 52-year-old man, former director of the company’s research department Belgan From Oudenaarde, Belgium, was arrested on May 10, 2026 at Brussels-Zaventem Airport while trying to fly to Beijing. Since then, he has been in preventive detention in Oudenaarde prison. .

Who is the suspect and what is attributed to him?

The 52-year-old suspect born in Beijing and resident in Leuven holds dual citizenship – Belgian and Chinese. According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, he held a research management position at Belgan, a company specialized in the production of gallium nitride (GAN) semiconductors.. .

The main suspicion is that while working for Belgan, the suspect would have acted simultaneously as a director of a Chinese company carrying out similar production activities. Chinese company allegedly set up a few months after the suspect committed to Belgan and was funded by a Chinese investment fund. .

The charges against him are: espionage, participation in a criminal organization, embezzlement of company assets and illegal disclosure of trade secrets. .

Targeted technology: gallium nitride (GAN), essential for the military and automotive industry

The technology targeted by this case is the production of chips with Gallium nitride (Gan), a semiconductor material with superior silicon properties, widely used in electric vehicles, aeronautical industry, defense systems and power electronics. This technology is considered strategic, which is why the case has attracted the attention of the authorities.

Belgan Bankruptcy Link

Belgan, formerly known as AMI Semiconductor and ON Semiconductor, was the only commercial microchip factory in Belgium. The company has declared bankruptcy on July 31, 2024, which led to the dismissal of more than 400 employees. The current investigation is part of the company’s bankruptcy investigation. Investigators try to determine whether illegal technology transfer contributed to Belgan’s financial collapse. .

searches and a second suspect

As part of the investigation, the police carried out searches and seized data storage and electronic communications devices, which are being analyzed. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has announced that a The second suspect is still sought in connection with this case. .

The suspect’s reaction

According to Belgian media, the suspect denies all the charges against him. His name has not been made public, but the press mentions the initials H.L.. .

Conclusion

The case of Oudenaarde is one of the most important cases of industrial espionage discovered in Belgium in recent years. Illegal transfer of GAN chip production technology could have significant implications for Europe’s economic and technological security. The investigation continues, and the Belgian authorities are trying to establish the full extent of the spy network and identify all the people involved.