Reported Plot to Strike Belgian Premier Prevented
Belgian law enforcement have detained three people suspected of planning an assault on the nation's prime minister, Bart de Wever.
Federal prosecutors described the reported plot as a terrorist act motivated by jihadist ideology targeting the PM and fellow politicians.
During searches conducted in Deurne, Antwerp, in proximity to the premier's home, authorities uncovered a potential improvised explosive device and evidence that the suspects were intending to employ a unmanned aerial vehicle.
While the prospective targets of the assault were not officially named by the legal authorities, Vice Premier Maxime Prevot revealed that the prime minister was one of them.
"The news of a premeditated strike aimed at PM Bart de Wever is profoundly disturbing," the official wrote in a post on X on Thursday.
"It highlights that we are dealing with a genuine terrorism risk and that we have to stay alert," he continued.
The three individuals arrested on suspicion of plotting a terrorist killing and participation in the operations of a terrorist group all reside in Antwerp, according to the legal authorities. They were had birth years in three different years between 2001 and 2007.
As of late Thursday, one person was let go, while two others were under interrogation and likely to appear in court on the following day.
The prosecution stated that the suspects were arrested after a court official directed searches of their homes in the location by officials assisted by explosive sniffer dogs.
It was during these raids that they discovered a device which appeared to be an IED, legal representative Ann Fransen stated at a media briefing on Thursday.
Investigations also revealed a collection of ball bearings and a 3D printer, with signs of drone weaponization plans, she continued.
The prosecutor stated that there had been 80 extremist probes initiated in the country in the current year - surpassing the overall count of investigations in the previous year.
In April, five people were convicted for a 2023 plot to strike the prime minister while he was acting as Antwerp's mayor.
