Belgian Police Conduct Sweeping Anti-Terrorism Raids

Belgian police conducted 14 house searches in Antwerp, Liege, Ghent, and Brussels as part of a terrorism investigation. Seven individuals were taken in for questioning, suspected of planning a terrorist attack. The investigation has no confirmed link to the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Belgian police executed 14 house searches across multiple cities, including Antwerp, Liege, Ghent, and the Brussels region, as part of a comprehensive terrorism investigation, announced the federal public prosecutor's office on Thursday. Seven individuals were detained for questioning.

The suspects are accused, among other charges, of preparing a terrorist attack, although specific targets have yet to be identified. A judge will decide later whether formal charges will be filed against them.

The prosecutor's office has yet to confirm a connection between the case and the Paris Olympics, which commence on Friday. Notably, the 2015 Paris attacks' perpetrators, many of whom were Belgian nationals or residents, largely orchestrated the attacks from Belgium. Previous terror incidents include the 2016 Brussels airport bombings that killed 34 people and injured 340, with Salah Abdeslam being one of those convicted for these attacks.

(With inputs from agencies.)