BRUSSELS (AP) – Belgian police arrested three people Thursday on suspicion of plotting to attack the country’s politicians, including Prime Minister Bart de Weber, with explosive-laden drones.
Federal prosecutors said in a statement that three people were detained after an anti-terrorism judge ordered a search of their home in the port city of Antwerp by police officers operating explosive-sniffing dogs.
An “improvised device” was found in the home of one of the suspects, but it was not working at the time. A bag of steel balls was also found there, and a 3D printer believed to have been used to manufacture parts for the planned attack was found in another house.
“There are also indications that there was an intention to manufacture drones for attaching cargo,” prosecutors said.
The raid was said to be “part of an investigation into attempted murder by terrorists and participation in the activities of terrorist groups.”
“There are indications that he intended to carry out a jihadist-inspired terrorist attack targeting politicians,” prosecutors said. It did not identify any politicians who may have been targeted.
However, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévost said in a social media post that “the news of a planned attack on Prime Minister Bad de Weber is extremely shocking” and thanked security and judicial authorities for their “swift action”.
Prevost said the incident showed that “the threat of terrorism remains very real and we must remain vigilant.”
He said Belgium is “actively strengthening its capabilities to counter new forms of terrorism, especially the fight against the misuse of drones.” A Belgian military base near the German border recently went under water. suspicious droneone of several alarming incidents across Europe in recent weeks.
Defense Minister Theo Franken posted a message of support for Mr de Wever, a resident and former mayor of Antwerp, writing: “Thank you to the security forces. Never surrender.”
The suspects have not been identified, but are said to be “young people” born in 2001, 2002 and 2007. Two of them were being questioned by Antwerp police until Thursday night and were scheduled to appear before a preliminary judge on Friday. Police announced that a third suspect has been released.
Belgian judiciary and police have been under stress in recent months following mass shootings in the capital Brussels and drug-related crimes in Antwerp, one of Europe’s major shipping hubs.
Belgium’s judicial system is already strained and strained, with too few judges and court staff to handle cases ranging from simple divorce cases to serious crimes. Threats against officials are also dangerous. The former justice minister and senior prosecutor were forced to live under police protection.
In a statement Thursday, prosecutors appealed to the government for further support, saying, “It is important to ensure that the police and judiciary have sufficient capacity to guarantee public safety at all times.”
They pointed out that approximately 80 new terrorism investigations have been opened by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office this year, which already exceeds the total number of cases in 2024.
Belgian Biggest attack in history It remains strongly in the memory of the people. On March 22, 2016, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest at Brussels’ main airport and central commuter line, killing 32 people and injuring hundreds.
