One person was killed on Wednesday after a shootout with police as part of an anti-terrorist operation in Antwerp, Belgium, that targeted an alleged far-right group, according to information released by authorities.
The police operation, which targeted a dozen homes in the northern city of Antwerp, was launched to contain “the preparation of a terrorist attack”.Authorities said “a lot of weapons and ammunition” had been seized.
“A dozen house searches have been carried out”, one of which ended in a firefight between the police and the owner of a home, in which he died and an investigation has already been opened, according to the spokesman for the Antwerp police. Public Prosecutor Eric Van Duyse, quoted by the Belgian press.
The searches took place in response to an investigation into illegal firearms possession and, Van Duyse added, “in an environment suspected of belonging to the extreme right” and that would prepare an attack.
Over the weekend, four suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of Belgian Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne.
However, it is not known whether this situation is related to the anti-terrorist operation, which took place this Wednesday in Antwerp and on the outskirts of the city, such as in Kasterlee and Ghent.
News updated at 10:36
Source: DN
