Reported Plot to Target Belgian Premier Prevented
Belgium's police have arrested three individuals allegedly involved in conspiring to carry out an strike on the government's premier, Bart de Wever.
Prosecutors labeled the alleged scheme as a extremist assault with jihadist roots targeting the PM and fellow politicians.
During searches conducted in Antwerp's Deurne district, in proximity to the PM's home, authorities discovered a alleged improvised explosive device and evidence that the individuals were preparing to employ a UAV.
While the intended targets of the assault were not disclosed by name by the federal prosecutors, Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot revealed that de Wever was one of them.
"Information of a premeditated attack aimed at Prime Minister Bart de Wever is deeply alarming," the deputy prime minister wrote in a update on X on the day of the arrests.
"It highlights that we are confronting a very real terrorist threat and that we have to remain vigilant," he continued.
The three suspects taken into custody on allegations of attempted terrorist murder and involvement in the activities of a extremist organization all are based in Antwerp, according to the legal authorities. They were had birth years in the early 2000s.
As of late Thursday, one person was let go, while two others were undergoing questioning and expected to face a judge on the next day.
The prosecution stated that the suspects were taken into custody after a judge directed searches of their residences in the urban area by officials supported by explosives-trained dogs.
It was during these investigations that they located a object which closely resembled a homemade bomb, lead prosecutor Ann Fransen said at a press conference on that day.
Investigations also revealed a "bag of steel balls" and a 3D printer, with signs of drone weaponization plans, she continued.
Fransen stated that there had been eighty counter-terrorism cases launched in the nation so far this year - surpassing the overall count of instances in 2024.
During the spring, five people were found guilty for a scheme last year to strike De Wever while he was serving as Antwerp's mayor.
