Reported Scheme to Target Belgian Prime Minister Thwarted
Belgian law enforcement have arrested three suspects suspected of plotting an attack on the nation's premier, Bart de Wever.
Legal authorities labeled the suspected scheme as a "jihadist-inspired terrorist attack" targeting the PM and fellow politicians.
During investigations conducted in Antwerp's Deurne district, close to the prime minister's personal dwelling, authorities found a potential IED and indications that the individuals were intending to employ a UAV.
While the prospective targets of the assault were not officially named by the legal authorities, Vice Premier Maxime Prevot confirmed that the prime minister was among them.
"The news of a intended strike aimed at PM Bart de Wever is profoundly disturbing," Prevot wrote in a message on X on the investigation day.
"It highlights that we are facing a genuine terrorism risk and that we have to remain vigilant," he added.
The three people arrested on charges of attempted terrorist murder and participation in the operations of a extremist organization all are based in Antwerp, per the federal prosecutors. They were born in 2001, 2002 and 2007.
On Thursday evening, one suspect was released, while two others were under interrogation and likely to be presented before a court on the following day.
The prosecution stated that the individuals were detained after a court official authorized inspections of their homes in the city by law enforcement backed by explosive sniffer dogs.
In the course of these searches that they found a item which "bore strong resemblances to an improvised explosive device", lead prosecutor Ann Fransen said at a press conference on that day.
Searches also uncovered a "bag of steel balls" and a 3D printer, with evidence suggesting drone-based payload delivery, she continued.
The official disclosed that there had been eighty counter-terrorism cases opened in Belgium so far this year - surpassing the total number of cases in the previous year.
In April, five people were found guilty for a previous year's plan to attack the prime minister while he was serving as Antwerp's mayor.
