A Canadian military intelligence officer has been accused of passing sensitive information to a foreign entity, following a secret internal dispute with his superiors that began in 2024. Master Warrant Officer Matthew Robar, who works in counter-intelligence in Ottawa, was arrested Wednesday and charged with eight offences under the National Defence Act.
Internal Dispute Preceded Espionage Charges
Robar was the subject of a disciplinary investigation within the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command starting in October 2024. The investigation resulted in a reprimand – a recorded warning and remedial measure – delivered last spring, according to internal documents.
He is currently being held in military police custody at Garrison Petawawa. This is the second time Robar has been arrested; he was previously taken into custody for 24 hours on Oct. 24, 2025, but was released on conditions.
The most serious charge against Robar is communicating “special operational information” to a foreign entity. The Department of National Defence has declined to identify the foreign entity involved.
Robar was reportedly given limited information regarding the specific allegations against him, only being informed that they involved “disobedience of a lawful command” and “unauthorized work-related activities.”
“He got no disclosure with this,” said Rory Fowler, a retired lieutenant-colonel and military lawyer hired by Robar regarding the reprimand. “He was quite literally told by his chain of command: ‘You know what you did.’ The response was: ‘No, actually you have to spell it out. That’s your obligation.’”
Robar’s security clearance was not renewed in the spring of 2025, prompting him to file an internal grievance. His commanding officer initially refused to accept the complaint until legally compelled to do so.
Fowler stated that Robar maintains the work he performed was authorized by his commanding officer. He also believes the arrest and charges are connected to the earlier disciplinary case.
According to a statement from the Department of National Defence, Robar has been a regular member of the Canadian Armed Forces since 2001 and had been assigned to administrative duties at Canadian Forces Intelligence Command since the investigation began in 2024.
The department stated that no further information will be released to protect the integrity of the judicial process and safeguard sensitive information.
If the case proceeds, it will be tried before a military court martial. Retired colonel Michel Drapeau, a military law expert, noted the department’s preference for handling the matter internally to limit public scrutiny.
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