Proof was present in a constructing a number of hundred metres from Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s Antwerp residence.
Printed On 10 Oct 2025
Belgian authorities say they’ve arrested three individuals in reference to a plot to assault Prime Minister Bart De Wever and different politicians utilizing drone-mounted explosives.
Federal prosecutor Ann Fransen introduced the arrests on Thursday and mentioned the group had been below investigation for an “tried terrorist homicide and participation within the actions of a terrorist group”, in accordance with Belgian public broadcaster RTBF.
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“Sure parts point out that the suspects supposed to hold out a jihadist-inspired terrorist assault towards political figures,” Fransen instructed reporters.
“There are additionally indications that the suspects aimed to assemble a drone to which a payload may very well be hooked up,” she added.
Fransen didn’t title their supposed targets, however social media posts from senior figures in De Wever’s authorities point out that he was on the record.
“The information of a deliberate assault concentrating on Prime Minister Bart De Wever is deeply surprising,” wrote Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot in a publish on X.
“I categorical my full help to the Prime Minister, his spouse, and his household, in addition to my gratitude to the safety and justice providers whose swift motion prevented the worst.”
Defence Minister Theo Francken shared an identical message on X.
“Prime Minister, Bart, all our help for you and your loved ones. Due to the safety providers. By no means give up,” he mentioned.
De Wever didn’t instantly touch upon the case.
Belgium’s Gazet van Antwerpen newspaper mentioned explosives had been discovered by police in an Antwerp constructing a number of hundred metres from De Wever’s residence.
Proof included an improvised explosive gadget nonetheless below development, a bag of metal balls, and a 3D printer, the newspaper mentioned. Police consider the group had been making an attempt to construct a drone able to carrying an explosive payload.
Authorities didn’t launch the names of the suspects however mentioned they’d been born in 2001, 2002, and 2007.
One of many suspects has been launched, in accordance with Fransen, and two are as a result of seem earlier than an investigating choose on Friday.
Gazet van Antwerpen mentioned De Wever has been the topic of earlier threats. Earlier this 12 months, a Belgian court docket convicted 5 individuals of creating preparations to hold out an assault towards him.
