Alleged Plot to Target Belgian Premier Prevented
Belgian police have detained three suspects suspected of conspiring to carry out an attack on the country's PM, Bart de Wever.
Legal authorities characterized the suspected plot as a extremist assault with jihadist roots targeting the premier and additional politicians.
During searches conducted in the Deurne area of Antwerp, close to the PM's private residence, officials found a alleged IED and indications that the accused were preparing to use a unmanned aerial vehicle.
While the planned victims of the strike were not disclosed by name by the federal prosecutors, Second-in-command Maxime Prevot confirmed that the prime minister was among them.
"The news of a premeditated assault directed toward Prime Minister Bart de Wever is extremely shocking," Prevot stated in a message on online platforms on Thursday.
"This underscores that we are facing a very real terrorism risk and that we have to remain vigilant," he added.
The three people detained on allegations of attempted terrorist murder and engagement in the activities of a jihadist network all reside in Antwerp, per the federal prosecutors. They were had birth years in three different years between 2001 and 2007.
As of the evening of the arrests, one suspect was freed, while two others were undergoing questioning and likely to face a judge on the following day.
Federal prosecutors revealed that the individuals were arrested after a judge authorized inspections of their homes in the city by police officers supported by explosive sniffer dogs.
It was during these raids that they discovered a object which appeared to be an IED, lead prosecutor Ann Fransen announced at a news conference on that day.
Searches also found a container of metal spheres and a 3D printer, with "indications that they intended to use a drone to attach a payload", she added.
The official stated that there had been 80 extremist probes launched in the nation so far this year - exceeding the full amount of cases in last year.
Earlier this year, five people were found guilty for a scheme last year to attack Belgium's leader while he was serving as the mayor of Antwerp.
