Reported Plot to Target Belgian Prime Minister Foiled
Belgian authorities have taken into custody three people allegedly involved in planning an strike on the country's PM, Bart de Wever.
Federal prosecutors described the reported plan as a extremist assault with jihadist roots targeting the prime minister and additional elected representatives.
During investigations conducted in Antwerp's Deurne district, near the prime minister's home, investigators discovered a alleged homemade bomb and proof that the individuals were preparing to employ a UAV.
While the intended targets of the assault were not officially named by the prosecutor's office, Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot confirmed that Belgium's leader was one of them.
"The news of a planned assault directed toward Prime Minister Bart de Wever is deeply alarming," the deputy prime minister wrote in a message on X on the investigation day.
"It emphasizes that we are facing a serious terrorist threat and that we have to stay alert," he added.
The three people taken into custody on allegations of plotting a terrorist killing and engagement in the activities of a jihadist network all are based in the city of Antwerp, per the legal authorities. They were born in 2001, 2002 and 2007.
On the evening of the arrests, one suspect was freed, while the other suspects were still being questioned and expected to face a judge on Friday.
Federal prosecutors stated that the accused were arrested after a judge authorized searches of their homes in the location by officials backed by explosive sniffer dogs.
It was during these searches that they discovered a device which closely resembled a homemade bomb, federal prosecutor Ann Fransen announced at a press conference on Thursday.
Raids also revealed a collection of ball bearings and a additive manufacturing device, with "indications that they intended to use a drone to attach a payload", she continued.
Fransen said that there had been 80 extremist probes initiated in the nation so far this year - more than the total number of cases in 2024.
Earlier this year, five suspects were sentenced for a scheme last year to target De Wever while he was serving as the city's chief executive.
