Reported Plot to Attack Belgian Prime Minister Prevented

Belgium's police have arrested three individuals accused of conspiring to carry out an attack on the government's prime minister, Bart de Wever.

Legal authorities characterized the suspected plot as a extremist assault with jihadist roots targeting the prime minister and fellow elected representatives.

During raids conducted in Antwerp's Deurne district, in proximity to the premier's home, authorities discovered a alleged improvised explosive device and proof that the accused were planning to deploy a unmanned aerial vehicle.

While the planned victims of the assault were not publicly identified by the prosecutor's office, Vice Premier Maxime Prevot confirmed that de Wever was among them.

"Reports of a planned strike aimed at Premier Bart de Wever is extremely shocking," the official wrote in a message on online platforms on the investigation day.

"This underscores that we are dealing with a serious terrorist threat and that we have to stay alert," he continued.

The three individuals taken into custody on suspicion of terrorism-related attempted murder and engagement in the activities of a terrorist group all reside in Antwerp, per the prosecutor's office. They were had birth years in 2001, 2002 and 2007.

As of the evening of the arrests, one suspect was released, while the remaining two were still being questioned and likely to appear in court on Friday.

Legal authorities revealed that the individuals were arrested after a magistrate authorized inspections of their homes in the city by police officers backed by bomb detection canines.

In the course of these investigations that they found a object which appeared to be an IED, lead prosecutor Ann Fransen stated at a media briefing on Thursday.

Investigations also found a container of metal spheres and a additive manufacturing device, with "indications that they intended to use a drone to attach a payload", she added.

The prosecutor said that there had been 80 terrorism investigations launched in Belgium so far this year - more than the total number of instances in the previous year.

During the spring, five suspects were found guilty for a scheme last year to attack De Wever while he was acting as the city's chief executive.