At a press conference the Federal Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that three young men, born in 2001, 2002 and 2007, had been detained during searches of four properties in the Antwerp district of Deurne.
One of the suspects since been released. The other two suspects will appear before an examining magistrate later today (Friday 10 October). During searches of 4 properties in the Deurne district of Antwerp, detectives discovered an object that resembled an improvised explosive device (IED), a bag of metal pellets and a 3D printer that is believed to have been used to produce parts for the planned attack. It is believed that the suspects were planning an attack in which an explosive charge would be attacked to a drone.
One of the targets of the alleged terror plot is said to have been the Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist). The properties searched were just a few hundred metres away from Mr De Wever’s family home.
Thursday’s operation involved officers from the Antwerp Federal Judicial Police of Antwerp. The received assistance from bomb disposal experts from the bomb disposal unit DOVO. Explosives dogs and Federal Police special units were also deployed. During the operation local resident were evacuated for a short time due to safety concerns.
The investigation is being led by an examining magistrate that is specialised in terrorism cases.
What does this mean for the terror threat level?
According to federal prosecutor Ann Franssen, this case shows that the public prosecutor’s office, the police and the intelligence services must remain vigilant at all times for the risk of terrorist attacks.
The terror threat level in Belgium remains unchanged for the time being. The level is currently at 3 on a scale of 4. This means that the threat of a terrorist attack is “serious” and that the official body that analyses the terror threat for Belgium OCAD judges an attack to be “possible and probable”.
Ms Franssen also said that around 80 new terrorism investigations have already been opened this year. “This is already more than the total number of cases in 2024. This does include terrorism cases involving minors”.
‘It is therefore important to maintain sufficient capacity within the police and prosecutor’s office to guarantee the safety of our society”, Ms Franssen concluded.
