Belgian authorities arrest BelGaN employee in chip technology leak investigation
A 52-year-old man holding both Belgian and Chinese citizenship has been arrested by Belgian authorities on suspicion of stealing trade secrets related to gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology, according to Reuters. Investigators believe the information he obtained may have been passed to a Chinese company operating in the same industry.
Belgian prosecutors said the suspect has been in custody since May. The investigation concerns alleged industrial espionage involving semiconductor technologies. The man previously held a senior position at Belgan, a company specializing in gallium nitride semiconductor manufacturing. The company filed for bankruptcy in July 2024.
According to prosecutors, the suspect simultaneously served as a director at a Chinese company producing the same type of semiconductor devices. That company was reportedly established several months after he joined Belgan and was financed by a Chinese investment fund.
Investigators suspect that, by exploiting his position, he transferred intellectual property and trade secrets related to gallium nitride chip manufacturing abroad. GaN technology is widely used in electric vehicles, aerospace applications, and the defense sector.
The arrest took place in May at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, where the suspect was allegedly preparing to board a flight to Beijing. Prosecutors confirmed that he remains in custody. A second suspect has also been identified in the case but has not yet been apprehended. The Chinese Embassy in Belgium has not commented on the investigation.
