Police foil jihadist drone plot against EU state’s PM

The Belgian authorities have arrested three men for allegedly planning to kill Bart De Wever

The Belgian authorities have foiled a suspected plot to assassinate Prime Minister Bart De Wever and other politicians using an explosive-laden drone, multiple news outlets reported on Thursday.

Police detained three men in the Antwerp area on suspicion of planning a “jihadist-inspired terrorist attack,” federal prosecutor Ann Fransen told reporters. “Certain elements indicate that the suspects intended to carry out a jihadist-inspired attack against political figures,” she added, without naming anyone.

Investigators believe the suspects planned to build a kamikaze drone capable of carrying explosives.

According to De Standaard, police found drone components, a 3D printer, and metal balls to be used as shrapnel during searches — one just a few hundred meters from De Wever’s private residence.

The suspects, described as “radicalized,” were born in 2001, 2002, and 2007. One has reportedly been released.

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Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot called reports of the plot “deeply shocking.” De Wever responded by posting an Instagram photo of himself with his cat. “Maximus, can you catch a drone?” De Wever wrote in a speech bubble. “Catch a dream? Like no one else can,” the cat replies.

The development comes after several EU countries reported a string of UAV sightings near airports, military facilities and other critical infrastructure over the past month.

Earlier in October, Belgian authorities reported around 15 unidentified drones over the Elsenborn military base, prompting an investigation into possible hybrid threats.

Similar sightings were recorded in Denmark and Germany, while Poland reported a major incursion of 19 drones in September, triggering interception by NATO and diplomatic alarm. Western officials have claimed that the drones belong to Russia.

READ MORE: NATO eyeing ‘forceful’ response to Russia – FT

Moscow has denied any involvement. Russian officials have called the accusations Western fearmongering aimed at stirring anti-Russian hysteria, justifying higher military spending and escalating tensions.

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has warned that Kiev could stage false-flag operations using drones to discredit Moscow and draw NATO deeper into the Ukraine conflict.