Suspected Plot to Target Belgian Prime Minister Thwarted
Belgian authorities have detained three individuals allegedly involved in plotting an attack on the nation's premier, Bart de Wever.
Federal prosecutors labeled the alleged plan as a "jihadist-inspired terrorist attack" targeting the PM and fellow politicians.
During raids conducted in the Deurne area of Antwerp, near the PM's private residence, authorities uncovered a alleged improvised explosive device and indications that the suspects were planning to use a unmanned aerial vehicle.
While the intended targets of the assault were not officially named by the legal authorities, Vice Premier Maxime Prevot confirmed that de Wever was included in the targets.
"Reports of a planned attack directed toward Prime Minister Bart de Wever is extremely shocking," Prevot stated in a message on online platforms on the day of the arrests.
"It highlights that we are dealing with a very real terrorism risk and that we have to keep watchful," he continued.
The three individuals detained on suspicion of terrorism-related attempted murder and engagement in the operations of a jihadist network all live in Antwerp, according to the prosecutor's office. They were had birth years in the early 2000s.
As of Thursday evening, one suspect was freed, while the other suspects were under interrogation and expected to appear in court on the next day.
The prosecution revealed that the individuals were detained after a judge ordered inspections of their dwellings in the location by law enforcement supported by explosives-trained dogs.
In the course of these investigations that they discovered a object which "bore strong resemblances to an improvised explosive device", federal prosecutor Ann Fransen announced at a news conference on the day of the events.
Investigations also revealed a collection of ball bearings and a additive manufacturing device, with evidence suggesting drone-based payload delivery, she continued.
Fransen said that there had been eighty counter-terrorism cases launched in the country this year - exceeding the overall count of instances in 2024.
Earlier this year, five individuals were found guilty for a previous year's plan to target the prime minister while he was serving as the city's chief executive.
