The evidence was found in a building a few hundred meters from the residence of Antwerp Prime Minister Bad de Weber.
Published October 10, 2025
Belgian authorities have announced the arrest of three people in connection with a plot to attack Prime Minister Bart de Weber and other politicians using explosives carried on drones.
According to Belgian public broadcaster RTBF, federal prosecutor Anne Fransen announced the arrest on Thursday and said the group was being investigated on charges of “attempted terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.”
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“Certain elements indicate that the suspect had the intention to carry out a jihadist-inspired terrorist attack against political figures,” Fransen told reporters.
“There are also indications that the suspects were aiming to manufacture drones that could be equipped with payloads,” she added.
Mr. Frandsen did not name the targets, but social media posts from senior officials in the de Wever government indicate he was on the list.
“The news of a plot to attack Prime Minister Bad de Weber is extremely shocking,” Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévost wrote in a post on X.
“I express my full support to the Prime Minister, his wife and family, and I would like to thank the security and judicial authorities who acted quickly to prevent a worst-case scenario.”
Defense Minister Theo Franken shared a similar message about X.
“Prime Minister Bart, we have all our support for you and your family. Thank you to the security forces. Never surrender,” he said.
Mr. de Wever did not immediately comment on the matter.
Belgian Gazette van Antwerp newspaper reported that police had found explosives in a building in Antwerp, a few hundred meters from Mr de Wever’s residence.
Evidence included an improvised explosive device still under construction, bags of steel balls and a 3D printer, the paper said. Police believe the group was trying to build a drone capable of delivering explosives.
Authorities have not released the names of the suspects, but said they were born in 2001, 2002 and 2007.
One of the suspects was released and two are scheduled to appear before a preliminary judge on Friday, Fransen said.
Gazette van Antwerp said de Wever had been the subject of threats before. Earlier this year, a Belgian court found five people guilty of preparing the attack against him.
