Suspected Scheme to Attack Belgian Prime Minister Foiled
Belgian police have arrested three people suspected of planning an strike on the country's prime minister, Bart de Wever.
Federal prosecutors characterized the alleged plan as a terrorist act motivated by jihadist ideology targeting the prime minister and other politicians.
During searches conducted in Antwerp's Deurne district, in proximity to the PM's personal dwelling, authorities found a potential homemade bomb and proof that the accused were planning to deploy a unmanned aerial vehicle.
While the intended targets of the attack were not disclosed by name by the federal prosecutors, Second-in-command Maxime Prevot confirmed that de Wever was included in the targets.
"The news of a planned attack aimed at Prime Minister Bart de Wever is extremely shocking," the official wrote in a update on online platforms on the day of the arrests.
"It highlights that we are facing a serious extremist danger and that we have to remain vigilant," he added.
The three individuals detained on charges of attempted terrorist murder and engagement in the activities of a extremist organization all reside in the city of Antwerp, as stated by the legal authorities. They were with years of birth in 2001, 2002 and 2007.
By late Thursday, one suspect was released, while two others were still being questioned and scheduled to be presented before a court on the following day.
Federal prosecutors revealed that the individuals were taken into custody after a magistrate authorized inspections of their homes in the location by law enforcement backed by explosive sniffer dogs.
Throughout these raids that they found a item which closely resembled a homemade bomb, legal representative Ann Fransen announced at a press conference on the day of the events.
Raids also found a collection of ball bearings and a 3D printer, with "indications that they intended to use a drone to attach a payload", she continued.
The official disclosed that there had been 80 extremist probes initiated in the nation so far this year - exceeding the overall count of instances in 2024.
During the spring, five individuals were found guilty for a 2023 plot to target the prime minister while he was serving as Antwerp's mayor.
