Three Antwerp youths arrested in jihadist drone plot

Belgian federal prosecutors said Thursday that police arrested three young men in Antwerp on suspicion of plotting a jihadist-inspired attack on political figures after discovering an improvised explosive device and materials that investigators say could have been used to mount a drone-borne assault. The arrests followed searches ordered by an antiterrorism judge and carried out by officers supported by explosives-sniffing dogs.

Prosecutors said the three suspects, who were born in 2001, 2002 and 2007 and all lived in Antwerp, were taken into custody as part of an investigation into attempted terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group. Two remained in police custody and were due to appear before an investigating judge on Friday, while the third was released, authorities said.

During searches, investigators found an improvised device that was not operational, a bag of steel balls or pellets, electronic components and a 3D printer believed to have been intended to manufacture parts for an attack. Prosecutors said there are indications the suspects intended to construct a drone capable of carrying a payload to deliver the explosive device.