Three Arrested in Belgium for Alleged Plot to Attack Prime Minister Bart de Wever

Police in Belgium have arrested three individuals suspected of planning an attack on the country’s Prime Minister, Bart de Wever. Prosecutors described the alleged plot as a “jihadist-inspired terrorist attack” targeting the Prime Minister and other politicians.

During searches in Deurne, Antwerp, near the Prime Minister’s private residence, authorities discovered a suspected improvised explosive device and evidence suggesting that the suspects intended to use a drone in their attack. While the prosecutor’s office did not disclose the names of the intended targets, Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot confirmed that de Wever was among them.

“The news of a planned attack targeting Prime Minister Bart de Wever is extremely shocking,” Prevot stated in a post on X on Thursday. “It highlights that we are facing a very real terrorist threat and that we must remain vigilant,” he added.

The three arrested individuals, all residents of Antwerp, are suspected of attempted terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group. They were born in 2001, 2002, and 2007. As of Thursday evening, one of the suspects has been released, while the other two are still being questioned and are expected to appear in court on Friday.

Federal prosecutors reported that the suspects were taken into custody following a judge’s order for searches of their homes, conducted by police officers assisted by explosive detection dogs. During these searches, authorities uncovered a device that “bore strong resemblances to an improvised explosive device,” according to federal prosecutor Ann Fransen at a press conference on Thursday.

Additionally, investigators found a “bag of steel balls” and a 3D printer, along with “indications that they intended to use a drone to attach a payload,” Fransen added. She noted that there have been 80 terrorism investigations opened in Belgium this year, surpassing the total number of cases from 2024.

In April, five individuals were convicted for a 2023 plot to attack de Wever while he was serving as the mayor of Antwerp.