"Evidence was found in a building a few hundred metres from Prime Minister Bart De Wever's Antwerp residence. Belgian authorities say they have arrested three people in connection with a plot to attack Prime Minister Bart De Wever and other politicians using drone-mounted explosives. Federal prosecutor Ann Fransen announced the arrests on Thursday and said the group were under investigation for an attempted terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group, according to Belgian public broadcaster RTBF."
"Certain elements indicate that the suspects intended to carry out a jihadist-inspired terrorist attack against political figures, Fransen told reporters. There are also indications that the suspects aimed to construct a drone to which a payload could be attached, she added. Fransen did not name their intended targets, but social media posts from senior figures in De Wever's government indicate that he was on the list."
"The news of a planned attack targeting Prime Minister Bart De Wever is deeply shocking, wrote Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot in a post on X. I express my full support to the Prime Minister, his wife, and his family, as well as my gratitude to the security and justice services whose swift action prevented the worst. Defence Minister Theo Francken shared a similar message on X."
Evidence and explosives were found in an Antwerp building a few hundred metres from Prime Minister Bart De Wever's residence. Belgian authorities arrested three people over a plot to attack De Wever and other politicians using drone-mounted explosives. Federal prosecutor Ann Fransen said the suspects face investigations for attempted terrorist murder and participating in a terrorist group. Certain elements point to a jihadist-inspired attack and investigators found indications they intended to build a drone capable of carrying an explosive payload. Social media posts from senior government figures suggest De Wever was a target. Police reported an IED under construction, steel ball shrapnel, and a 3D printer. Authorities have not released suspects' names.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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