Antwerpโ Terror Cell โขDismantled in Foiled drone Attack on โBelgian prime Minister
Antwerp, Belgium – A suspected terrorist cell โขhas โbeen โคdismantled โin Antwerp following the discovery of plans to attack โBelgian Prime โฃMinister Jan De Wever with an explosive-laden โคdrone, according to reports from “Deโฃ Standaard” and “Bild.” Threeโ young people were arrested inโ connection with the plot; โขtwo remain in custody while one โhas โขbeen released.
Investigatorsโข foundโ an inoperable explosive device, steelโค balls, and a 3D printer – believed to have been used to manufacture droneโค components – during searches in the Deurne district of Antwerp, located just a few hundred meters from the prime Minister’s residence.โฃ
“De Standaard” reports that โtwo of the suspects are radicalized,andโ one โขhas Chechen roots. The inquiry is โongoing, focusing on charges ofโค attempted terrorist murder and participation โคin a terroristโ institution, โคwith authorities describing the plan โas “jihadist-motivated.” The suspects, born in 2001, 2002, and 2007, are approximately 18 โฃto 24 years old.
This incident follows a previous foiled terror plot targetingโข De Wever in 2023, which resulted in prison sentencesโ ranging from threeโข to 13 years for five individuals – later โreduced on appeal to a maximum of โsix years for the main perpetrator.
Despite a recent โฃsecurity scare involving a suspicious package โฃat โthe Prime Minister’s home, authorities currently assess no acute threat and have not ordered additional protective measures for De Wever.