Both Belgian PM and Antwerp mayor possible targets of dismantled terrorist cell
Acting Antwerp mayor Els van Doesburg was also a possible target of the alleged terrorist cell that was dismantled on Thursday, according to Gazet Van Antwerpen. It had already been reported that prime minister Bart De Wever was one of the politicians targeted by the terror suspects.
On Thursday, the federal public prosecutor's office announced that it had foiled a jihadist-inspired attack on politicians, including prime minister Bart De Wever. It now appears that Els Van Doesburg, who is currently replacing De Wever as mayor of Antwerp, was also one of the politicians targeted by the terror suspects. Van Doesburg herself does not wish to comment at this stage. “We have confidence in the investigation,” she stated briefly.
This morning, interior minister Bernard Quintin met with the security services in Belgium to analyse the events. He praised the cooperation between the services, “also at the international level”. “Several intelligence services were involved,” said Quintin. Foreign politicians may also have been targeted by the suspects.
One of the three young men arrested has since been released, while the other two are appearing before the investigating judge today. Two of the three suspects were already known to the police and the courts, albeit for other, less serious offences. Neither of them had previously been convicted.
According to federal prosecutor Ann Fransen, the case shows that the police, intelligence services and the courts must remain vigilant about the risk of terrorist attacks. Fransen also said that around 80 new terrorism investigations have already been opened this year within the terrorism section of the federal public prosecutor's office. “That is already more cases than the total number in 2024, not including terrorism cases involving minors,” she underlined.
#FlandersNewsService | Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever and acting Antwerp mayor Els van Doesburg © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM