Brussels (Belgium) (AFP) – Belgian government sources confirmed on Thursday that Prime Minister Bart De Wever was targeted in a foiled plot inspired by extremist ideas to attack politicians using explosive drones, after the public prosecutor announced the arrest of three individuals in the case.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot described the news of the plot targeting De Wever as “shocking,” expressing “our gratitude to the security services and judiciary whose swift action allowed us to avoid the worst.”

Sources close to the Prime Minister confirmed to AFP that he was targeted.

The arrests were made in the northern city of Antwerp as part of an investigation into “terrorist attempted murder and participation in activities of a terrorist group,” according to federal prosecutor Ann Fransen at a press conference earlier Thursday.

She added that “some evidence indicates the suspects intended to carry out a terrorist attack inspired by jihadist ideology against political figures.”

She continued, “There are also indications that the suspects sought to build a drone capable of carrying a payload.”

Several Flemish media reported that among those targeted was De Wever, who was previously mayor of Antwerp before becoming Prime Minister.

Defense Minister Theo Francken wrote on social media: “Prime Minister Bart, we fully support you and your family. Thanks to the security services.”

According to reports, police searched a house located a few hundred meters from De Wever’s home in the city.

Fransen said, “During a search of one suspect’s home, a homemade explosive device was found, likely explosive but not yet ready for use, along with a bag containing metal pellets.”

She added that police found a 3D printer in a second suspect’s home “believed to be intended for manufacturing components useful in carrying out an attack.”

The suspects were born in 2001, 2002, and 2007.

Two of them were interrogated by federal police and are scheduled to appear before an investigative judge on Friday. The third suspect was released.