Suspected Plot to Attack Belgian PM Thwarted

Belgium's law enforcement have arrested three people allegedly involved in conspiring to carry out an strike on the nation's prime minister, Bart de Wever.

Prosecutors described the reported plan as a "jihadist-inspired terrorist attack" targeting the prime minister and other elected representatives.

During searches conducted in the Deurne area of Antwerp, close to the premier's private residence, investigators discovered a alleged homemade bomb and proof that the accused were preparing to employ a UAV.

While the planned victims of the assault were not disclosed by name by the federal prosecutors, Vice Premier Maxime Prevot stated that the prime minister was among them.

"Information of a premeditated attack aimed at Premier Bart de Wever is extremely shocking," the official declared in a post on X on the investigation day.

"It highlights that we are dealing with a very real terrorism risk and that we have to remain vigilant," he continued.

The three individuals detained on allegations of terrorism-related attempted murder and engagement in the functions of a jihadist network all are based in the Antwerp region, per the federal prosecutors. They were had birth years in 2001, 2002 and 2007.

As of the evening of the arrests, one suspect was released, while the remaining two were under interrogation and likely to appear in court on the next day.

The prosecution said that the accused were detained after a magistrate ordered raids of their dwellings in the city by police officers assisted by explosives-trained dogs.

In the course of these investigations that they located a device which appeared to be an IED, lead prosecutor Ann Fransen announced at a media briefing on that day.

Investigations also uncovered a container of metal spheres and a 3D printer, with signs of drone weaponization plans, she continued.

The official disclosed that there had been 80 terrorism investigations opened in the nation this year - exceeding the overall count of instances in 2024.

In April, five people were found guilty for a 2023 plot to strike Belgium's leader while he was holding the position of Antwerp's mayor.