Reported Plot to Attack Belgian PM Prevented
Belgium's law enforcement have taken into custody three individuals allegedly involved in planning an assault on the government's PM, Bart de Wever.
Prosecutors characterized the alleged scheme as a "jihadist-inspired terrorist attack" targeting the premier and other government officials.
During investigations conducted in Deurne, Antwerp, in proximity to the premier's private residence, authorities uncovered a alleged improvised explosive device and indications that the suspects were planning to use a drone.
While the prospective targets of the strike were not disclosed by name by the legal authorities, Vice Premier Maxime Prevot revealed that Belgium's leader was included in the targets.
"Reports of a intended assault aimed at Premier Bart de Wever is extremely shocking," the deputy prime minister declared in a post on online platforms on Thursday.
"It emphasizes that we are dealing with a serious terrorism risk and that we have to stay alert," he added.
The three suspects detained on charges of plotting a terrorist killing and participation in the activities of a jihadist network all live in Antwerp, per the federal prosecutors. They were born in the early 2000s.
On late Thursday, one of the individuals was released, while the other suspects were still being questioned and scheduled to face a judge on Friday.
Federal prosecutors stated that the individuals were taken into custody after a magistrate ordered searches of their homes in the location by officials backed by explosives-trained dogs.
In the course of these investigations that they located a object which "bore strong resemblances to an improvised explosive device", lead prosecutor Ann Fransen said at a news conference on Thursday.
Investigations also found a "bag of steel balls" and a 3D printer, with signs of drone weaponization plans, she added.
Fransen disclosed that there had been eighty counter-terrorism cases initiated in Belgium this year - more than the total number of instances in 2024.
Earlier this year, five people were sentenced for a scheme last year to attack De Wever while he was holding the position of Antwerp's mayor.