Police have foiled a sophisticated terror plot targeting Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever with a drone bomb attack. Three men were arrested during coordinated raids near De Wever's private residence in Antwerp, where officers discovered a homemade explosive device, a 3D printer and detailed drone plans.
The suspects had planned to attach an explosive device to a drone to carry out the assassination attempt. Belgian federal prosecutor's office said the terror cell also targeted several other politicians from Antwerp alongside the Prime Minister.
Terror cell investigation
The investigation had been ongoing since September, with the three suspects meeting in person rather than communicating online. The arrests took place within hundreds of meters of De Wever's home, according to The Guardian, requiring the evacuation of nearby residents as bomb disposal experts and police special units moved in.
A federal prosecutor spokesman said: "One suspect was found with an improvised device that strongly resembled an IED (improvised explosive device), but was not yet operational. A small bag containing steel balls was also found."
Suspects and charges
The suspects are aged 24, 23 and 18, all with Belgian nationality but of Moroccan and Chechen descent. One has been released due to insufficient evidence to maintain custody, while the other two will appear before a judge on Friday.
The Guardian reports the attack has been classified as jihadist-inspired terrorism by the federal prosecutor. Among the evidence seized was a 3D printer suspected of being used to manufacture attack components.
Ongoing security concerns
This marks the second security incident involving De Wever within a week, following the discovery of a suspicious package in his mailbox. However, authorities confirmed no connection exists between the incidents.
De Wever previously faced terrorist threats during his tenure as Antwerp mayor. Belgium's terrorism threat level remains at "serious" following the thwarted attack, with security services maintaining heightened vigilance.
Sources used: "Daily Star", "The Guardian", "Express" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
