Three arrested in alleged plot to attack Belgian PM with drone explosives | New Zealand Herald |

Belgian authorities today arrested three young adults suspected of a jihadist-inspired plot to attack Prime Minister Bart De Wever and other politicians using drone-mounted explosives.

The arrests were made in the northern city of Antwerp as part of an investigation into "attempted terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group", federal prosecutor Ann Fransen told a news conference.

"Certain elements indicate that the suspects intended to carry out a jihadist-inspired terrorist attack against political figures," Fransen said.

"There are also indications that the suspects aimed to construct a drone capable of carrying a payload," she added.

The prosecutor's office declined to name the intended targets, but sources close to the Prime Minister confirmed to AFP that De Wever was among them.

3D printer

According to reports, the four premises searched by police included a residence located just a few hundred metres from the home of the Prime Minister - who was Antwerp's mayor before taking office early this year.

"During a search of one suspect's home, an improvised device - potentially explosive but not yet operational - was found, along with a bag containing metal pellets," Fransen said.

At the home of a second suspect, police discovered a 3D printer "believed to have been intended for manufacturing components useful in carrying out an attack", the prosecutor added.

The suspects were born in 2001, 2002 and 2007.

Two of them were being questioned by federal police and were due to appear before an investigating judge tomorrow. The third suspect was released.

I understood two suspects were from North African descent (Moroccan) and one from Chechnya. Being radicalised and willing to use violence will not clarify motivation or perhaps used as proxies by a third organization. Wait until the investigation comes with clear evidence.

Wilders suspends political campaign after report of attack threat from Belgium | De Volkskrant |

PVV leader Geert Wilders announced on X that he is suspending his campaign for the parliamentary elections. The reason for this is the plans of three young men from a suspected terrorist cell in Antwerp to attack politicians. Wilders says he has received confirmation from the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) that he was also mentioned as a target.

"The NCTV does not expect a ’residual threat,' but I have a bad feeling about this and therefore I am suspending all my campaign activities for the time being," Wilders stated. He was scheduled to face Henri Bontenbal (CDA), Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA), and Dilan Yeşilgöz (VVD) in the RTL election debate this coming Sunday.

Empty chair for Geert Wilders in first election debate

Earlier today, he decided not to participate in the radio debate on NPO Radio 1 due to reports in the Belgian media that he might be one of the targets. According to NOS, he declined a telephone invitation to participate in the debate.

Even before today's reports, Wilders had already withdrawn from the second RTL election debate later this month. Unlike other party leaders, he also declined an invitation for an interview with Nieuwsuur.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Els van Doesburg, the acting mayor of Antwerp, were also reportedly in the Belgian men's sights. De Wever attended a meeting of his inner cabinet today about the budget.

Dutch populist Wilders suspends campaign due to threat | JPost |

The Dutch National counterterrorism agency confirmed that Geert Wilders was among European politicians potentially targeted by a thwarted plot.

Dutch populist Wilders skips campaign event due to possible threat [_link]

— ST Foreign Desk (@STForeignDesk) October 10, 2025

Netherlands labels Israel a national security threat | TRT World |

For the first time, the Netherlands has officially named Israel as a threat to its national security.

A government report accuses Israel of covertly influencing Dutch politics and media, and of threatening institutions like the ICC in The Hague after it issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant over Gaza war crimes.

Hamit Coskun - who was convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offence after shouting “f*** Islam” and burning a Koran outside the Turkish consulate in London - has won his appeal against conviction. (1/3)

— Total Crime (@totalcrime) October 10, 2025

Attacker of Quran-burning protester is spared jail | BBC News |