Suspected Scheme to Target Belgian Premier Prevented
Belgian police have arrested three individuals accused of plotting an attack on the country's premier, Bart de Wever.
Prosecutors described the reported plan as a "jihadist-inspired terrorist attack" targeting the premier and additional politicians.
During raids conducted in the Deurne area of Antwerp, close to the prime minister's home, officials uncovered a potential IED and proof that the individuals were preparing to employ a unmanned aerial vehicle.
While the prospective targets of the assault were not disclosed by name by the prosecutor's office, Second-in-command Maxime Prevot revealed that the prime minister was one of them.
"The news of a intended assault directed toward PM Bart de Wever is extremely shocking," the official declared in a message on X on the investigation day.
"This underscores that we are facing a genuine extremist danger and that we have to remain vigilant," he concluded.
The three suspects taken into custody on allegations of plotting a terrorist killing and participation in the activities of a jihadist network all are based in the Antwerp region, according to the legal authorities. They were born in three different years between 2001 and 2007.
As of late Thursday, one suspect was freed, while the other suspects were still being questioned and expected to be presented before a court on the next day.
Legal authorities revealed that the accused were detained after a judge directed searches of their residences in the city by police officers supported by explosive sniffer dogs.
Throughout these raids that they found a item which "bore strong resemblances to an improvised explosive device", lead prosecutor Ann Fransen stated at a news conference on that day.
Raids also found a container of metal spheres and a 3D printer, with signs of drone weaponization plans, she continued.
The official stated that there had been eighty counter-terrorism cases launched in the country so far this year - exceeding the full amount of cases in last year.
Earlier this year, five suspects were found guilty for a 2023 plot to attack Belgium's leader while he was acting as the mayor of Antwerp.
