Reported Plot to Strike Belgian PM Foiled
Belgium's police have taken into custody three individuals suspected of conspiring to carry out an attack on the government's premier, Bart de Wever.
Federal prosecutors characterized the reported plot as a "jihadist-inspired terrorist attack" targeting the prime minister and fellow elected representatives.
During investigations conducted in Antwerp's Deurne district, close to the prime minister's private residence, investigators found a potential improvised explosive device and proof that the accused were preparing to use a unmanned aerial vehicle.
While the intended targets of the assault were not publicly identified by the legal authorities, Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot revealed that de Wever was among them.
"Reports of a premeditated strike targeting PM Bart de Wever is deeply alarming," the deputy prime minister wrote in a post on X on the day of the arrests.
"It highlights that we are dealing with a genuine terrorism risk and that we have to remain vigilant," he continued.
The three suspects arrested on charges of attempted terrorist murder and engagement in the operations of a terrorist group all live in Antwerp, as stated by the federal prosecutors. They were with years of birth in the early 2000s.
On late Thursday, one suspect was let go, while the other suspects were still being questioned and likely to be presented before a court on the following day.
Legal authorities said that the accused were arrested after a court official authorized searches of their homes in the city by officials supported by bomb detection canines.
It was during these investigations that they located a object which closely resembled a homemade bomb, lead prosecutor Ann Fransen stated at a media briefing on the day of the events.
Investigations also uncovered a container of metal spheres and a 3D printer, with evidence suggesting drone-based payload delivery, she continued.
The prosecutor said that there had been 80 terrorism investigations launched in the nation this year - more than the total number of instances in last year.
In April, five suspects were found guilty for a scheme last year to target the prime minister while he was serving as the city's chief executive.