Key Takeaways
- A Canadian military counter-intelligence operative, Master Warrant Officer Matthew Robar, has been accused of passing sensitive information to a foreign entity, specifically Ukraine.
- Robar faces eight charges under the National Defence Act and the Security of Information Act, including communicating "special operational information" to a foreign entity.
- The case has pitted different parts of the defence intelligence and security community against each other, with the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP conducting a joint investigation.
- The incident occurred against a backdrop of increased intelligence and defence co-operation between Canada and Ukraine, with the two countries signing an agreement to formalize intelligence and counter-intelligence co-operation late last year.
Introduction to the Case
The case of Master Warrant Officer Matthew Robar, a Canadian military counter-intelligence operative, has raised eyebrows in the defence intelligence and security community. Robar has been accused of passing sensitive information to a foreign entity, specifically Ukraine, and faces eight charges under the National Defence Act and the Security of Information Act. The charges include communicating "special operational information" to a foreign entity, which is a serious offense. The case has pitted different parts of the defence intelligence and security community against each other, with the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP conducting a joint investigation.
Background and Circumstances
The incident occurred in May 2024, when Robar was introduced to a Ukrainian representative by a Canadian official. The two allegedly began discussing the kind of support Canadians might be able to provide in the information sphere. The contacts culminated in a meeting involving Robar and the representative in September 2024 in Lithuania. However, Robar was suspended from duty the following month, and an internal investigation was launched within his unit at Canadian Forces Intelligence Command. The complaint that initiated the military police and RCMP national security investigation against Robar came from another unit within Canada’s military intelligence community.
Investigations and Proceedings
The military police investigation into Robar was opened in November 2024, a month after the intelligence command began its own review. Both investigations proceeded in tandem, which military legal experts have said is highly unusual and potentially significant. Canadian Forces Provost Marshal Brig.-Gen. Vanessa Hanrahan confirmed that the complaint came from within the Canadian Armed Forces and that the military police investigation was initiated accordingly. Robar was initially arrested and held without charge at the end of October, but was later released from custody with conditions following a hearing on Monday.
Comparison to Previous Cases
The alleged actions of Robar have been compared to the spy case of former naval intelligence officer Jeffrey Delisle, who passed secrets to Russia and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. However, according to a transcript of Monday’s custody hearing, both the military prosecutor and defence counsel said that the alleged actions of the accused do not rise to the level of the Delisle case. The intention of the agreement between Canada and Ukraine, signed late last year, is to "facilitate even greater information sharing regarding defence and security between various Canadian and Ukrainian government departments and agencies." It is unclear what kind of information Robar is accused of passing to the Ukrainians.
Co-operation Between Canada and Ukraine
The incident occurred against a backdrop of increased intelligence and defence co-operation between Canada and Ukraine. The two countries signed an agreement to formalize intelligence and counter-intelligence co-operation late last year. The agreement aims to facilitate greater information sharing between the two countries, which could potentially include sensitive information. The embattled Eastern European country has been working both official and unofficial channels in requesting equipment and support to help beat back the Russian invasion. It is unclear how the alleged actions of Robar will affect the co-operation between Canada and Ukraine.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The case of Master Warrant Officer Matthew Robar is a complex and sensitive one, with potential implications for the defence intelligence and security community. The incident has raised questions about the handling of sensitive information and the co-operation between Canada and Ukraine. As the investigation continues, it is likely that more information will come to light, and the consequences of Robar’s alleged actions will become clearer. For now, the case remains a closely watched and highly unusual incident, with potentially significant implications for the Canadian Armed Forces and the broader defence intelligence and security community.
