Pre‑Trial Custody Extended for 52‑Year‑Old Accused of Exporting Gallium Nitride Designs

A 52‑year‑old man with dual Chinese and Belgian nationality is being held in pre‑trial detention on accusations of exporting Gallium Nitride chip designs. The suspect formerly occupied a senior role at the now‑defunct Belgian chip producer Belgan, which specialized in Gallium Nitride components for high‑performance sectors. According to investigators, he simultaneously acted as a director for a Chinese‑funded firm, using that position to illegally move proprietary data abroad. The arrest occurred at Brussels Airport in May as the suspect attempted to board a flight to Beijing. Authorities confirm the primary suspect remains detained while a second alleged accomplice remains at large.