Leuven Pride Attack Plot Thwarted by Undercover Agent
An 18-year-old radicalized individual from Leuven planned a terrorist attack on the city’s inaugural Pride event in October 2024, but his plot was foiled after he unknowingly communicated with an undercover police agent posing as a weapons dealer on Telegram. The suspect, identified only by initials A.E., and a former classmate face up to 20 years in prison, with their trial scheduled to begin on November 17, 2026, at the correctional court in Leuven.
Background: A Plot Takes Shape
In the summer of 2024, Belgian security services detected A.E. after he posted in Telegram groups indicating he was seeking weapons. What he did not realize was that an undercover agent was monitoring the conversations and posing as a firearms dealer. According to VRT NWS, the agent arranged a face-to-face meeting in Leuven, during which the suspect detailed his plans.
A.E. told the undercover agent he was seeking firearms, grenades, and explosives to maximize casualties at the Leuven Pride event scheduled for October 10, 2024. The Brussels Pride, planned for May 2025, was also considered as a target, but the suspect ultimately chose Leuven because it was sooner. According to chat transcripts cited by Hageland Actueel, A.E. described the Pride as “an alcohol festival” and declared that one “must not have pity with anyone.”
The Suspect and Co-Defendant
A.E. was born in Belgium to a family with Iraqi roots from Sulaimania in Iraqi Kurdistan. Paradoxically, his mother worked for the justice system and his father founded a non-profit organization promoting intercultural integration. His ex-girlfriend told investigators that he developed increasingly radical views over time and pressured her to wear religious covering.
Charged alongside A.E. is his former classmate R.H. from Herent. Both face charges of “participation in the activities of a terrorist group” and “preparation of a terrorist crime,” carrying penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment under Belgian law, as De Morgen reported. R.H.’s legal team, attorneys Kristel Jansens and Tim Op De Beeck, stated that their client “formally denies any involvement and will plead for acquittal.”
Evidence of Radicalization
Investigators uncovered extensive evidence of radicalization. A.E. was a member of Telegram groups spreading Islamic State propaganda. His search history revealed inquiries about conflict zones in the Middle East and interest in execution videos. During his pre-trial detention, prison staff reported overhearing extreme statements, including: “All Americans are gay,” “I will go there to kill them all,” and “all infidels deserve to die.” References to Islamic State were found in his cell.
The suspect planned to finance the attack through drug trafficking, allegedly considering the use of counterfeit money to scam a drug dealer for quick profit. After his arrest, multiple acquaintances confirmed he had asked them to participate in the plot or to allow him to use their phones to minimize his digital footprint.
Defense and Current Status
A.E.’s defense attorney, Frédéric Thiebaut, urged caution, telling VRT NWS: “I would nevertheless like to call for not jumping to conclusions too quickly in this case with regard to my client. We will present our position before the court and not in the press.”
A.E. was initially held in pre-trial detention for several months before being released with an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet. The bracelet has since been removed, but he remains subject to strict conditions pending trial.
Broader Context: Youth Radicalization in Belgium
The foiled plot has reignited concerns about the radicalization of young people in Belgium. According to a VRT NWS report from October 2025, jihadist radicalization among young people “was never really gone — less visible, but ideas still live.” The country’s Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis (OCAD) noted that 18% of threat reports in 2024 involved minors. A survey published in 2025 found that one in three Flemish teachers had encountered radicalization or extremist ideology in schools.
The disclosure of this 2024 plot comes just three days after the Berlin Pride attack on July 25, 2026, in which a 21-year-old drove a van into a crowd, killing one person and injuring 29. While unrelated, the timing has amplified concerns about threats to LGBTQ+ events across Europe.
What’s Next
The trial of A.E. and R.H. is set to begin on November 17, 2026, at the correctional court in Leuven. Meanwhile, Leuven Pride is scheduled to take place on September 26, 2026. The case serves as a reminder of both the persistent threat of youth radicalization and the effectiveness of undercover counterterrorism operations in preventing attacks before they can be carried out.
The investigation demonstrates that proactive monitoring of extremist online spaces—particularly encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram—remains a critical tool for security services. As Belgium prepares for the trial, questions remain about the broader social and educational measures needed to prevent radicalization among vulnerable young people.