Three men were arrested Thursday in Antwerp on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack against Belgian politicians, with multiple media outlets reporting that Prime Minister Bart De Wever was the intended target.

The federal prosecutor’s office announced the arrests, which were part of an investigation into “attempted terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.”

“Some elements indicate that the intention was to carry out a jihadist-inspired terrorist attack against political leaders,” federal prosecutor Ann Fransen said at a press conference in Brussels. “There are also indications that the suspects’ goal was to manufacture a drone to which an explosive charge would be attached.”

The suspects, born in 2001, 2002, and 2007, were detained following four searches carried out by the Federal Judicial Police in Antwerp. Two of them are being questioned by investigators and are expected to appear before an investigating judge on Friday, while the third was released.

During a search of one suspect’s home, police discovered an improvised explosive device that was not yet operational and a bag of metal balls. At another location, officers found a 3D printer believed to have been used to produce components for an attack. Prosecutors said the evidence pointed to a plan to deploy an explosive-laden drone against political targets.

In a statement, the police confirmed that several searches had been conducted by Antwerp Federal Judicial Police, including counter-terror and explosive detection dogs.

HLN reported that a family with four children lives in one of the properties, with the father indicating that his 17-year-old son is implicated and that a suspicious package was found in his home.

The Belgian justice system has not officially confirmed the identity of the intended target, but several Flemish media outlets, including RTL, named De Wever. His entourage later confirmed to AFP that the prime minister had indeed been the focus of the alleged plot. Belgian Defense Minister Théo Francken expressed “full support” for De Wever and his family on social media, while police reportedly searched a house just a few hundred meters from his Antwerp residence.

“Prime Minister, Bart, all our support for you and your family. Thanks to the security services. Never surrender,” Francken wrote.

Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden said the swift police operation may have prevented a major attack. “Today, an attack may have been thwarted. Thanks to the rapid and effective intervention of the federal prosecutor’s office and various federal police departments,” she said. “The threats may have been aimed at people holding public office. This affects the very foundations of our democracy. There is no place for intimidation and violence in our society.”

Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot called the revelations “deeply shocking,” saying it “highlights that we are facing a very real terrorist threat and that we have to remain vigilant.”

Authorities highlighted the growing threat to public officials in Belgium. In 2024, 101 people — including politicians, magistrates, police officers, and prison staff — were placed under protective custody after receiving threats linked to their duties. “They are increasingly being targeted,” Verlinden said, adding that security services “are keeping a close watch.”

Belgian authorities have released no further information as to the identity of the suspects, citing the ongoing investigation.