The services foiled an assassination attempt on the Belgian prime minister. 3 suspects arrested

The Belgian federal prosecutor's office announced the arrest of three people in Antwerp on suspicion of preparations for a terrorist attack on Prime Minister Bart De Wever. An explosive device and drone parts were found in the suspects' homes.

Three young men aged 17 to 24 were detained in Deurne, a district of Antwerp, as part of an investigation into an attempted terrorist attack, federal prosecutor Ann Fransen announced on Thursday. According to findings by the Belgian media, the target of the planned attack was Prime Minister Bart De Wever, leader of the nationalist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) party.

According to information provided by federal prosecutor Ann Fransen during a press conference, investigators have “indications” that the planned attack “was intended to have a jihadist nature.” Fransen did not disclose the details of this evidence. The detainees were charged with “attempted murder of a terrorist nature” and “participation in the activities of a terrorist organization.” Two of the suspects remain in custody and the third was released after questioning.

During the searches, the officers found a home-made explosive device in one of the houses. According to the prosecutor's office, the charge was not yet active. A bag with steel balls, which could have been an offensive element, was also seized. A 3D printer was discovered in the second suspect's house, which – as the police suspect – was intended to produce parts needed to construct the device. The investigation showed that the perpetrators planned to use a drone to deliver an explosive device.

This year alone, approximately 80 new terrorism-related proceedings have been initiated in Belgium – more than in the entire year 2024. Over a hundred officials and politicians in Belgium have already been protected in connection with threats.

Patryk Kulpok (PAP)

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