Alleged Plan to Attack Belgian PM Foiled
Belgium's law enforcement have arrested three individuals allegedly involved in plotting an strike on the country's premier, Bart de Wever.
Prosecutors described the suspected scheme as a "jihadist-inspired terrorist attack" targeting the prime minister and other government officials.
During raids conducted in Deurne, Antwerp, in proximity to the prime minister's private residence, officials found a alleged improvised explosive device and indications that the individuals were preparing to use a unmanned aerial vehicle.
While the prospective targets of the assault were not disclosed by name by the federal prosecutors, Vice Premier Maxime Prevot confirmed that Belgium's leader was included in the targets.
"Information of a intended attack aimed at Prime Minister Bart de Wever is profoundly disturbing," Prevot declared in a update on social media on the investigation day.
"It emphasizes that we are dealing with a serious terrorism risk and that we have to remain vigilant," he added.
The three suspects arrested on allegations of terrorism-related attempted murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group all are based in Antwerp, according to the legal authorities. They were born in the early 2000s.
On late Thursday, one suspect was freed, while the other suspects were still being questioned and likely to face a judge on the following day.
The prosecution revealed that the accused were taken into custody after a magistrate authorized inspections of their dwellings in the location by officials supported by explosive sniffer dogs.
In the course of these investigations that they located a object which appeared to be an IED, legal representative Ann Fransen said at a press conference on that day.
Searches also found a "bag of steel balls" and a 3D printer, with signs of drone weaponization plans, she noted.
Fransen said that there had been 80 terrorism investigations opened in Belgium so far this year - surpassing the overall count of instances in the previous year.
During the spring, five individuals were sentenced for a 2023 plot to attack the prime minister while he was holding the position of Antwerp's mayor.
