New Year Terror Plot: Six People Arrested in Brussels

Six people have been arrested in Brussels in connection with an alleged plot to target the Belgian capital on New Year’s Eve, prosecutors say.

The arrests come as cities around the world heighten security measures ahead of large-scale New Year celebrations.

The arrests in Brussels were made during raids in suburbs including Molenbeek, which was used as a base by the November 13 Paris attackers.

Brussels’ main fireworks display has been cancelled over the feared plot.

Photo AP

None of the six people arrested on December 31 have been identified. Two people arrested in Brussels earlier this week, named as 30-year-old Said S and 27-year-old Mohammed K, have been charged with threatening to carry out a terrorist attack.

According to Brussels police, the apparent plots to target New Year celebrations are not related to the network behind the Paris attacks.

Security is being stepped up in major European cities ahead of New Year celebrations, with officials wary of possible terror plots.

New Year fireworks and festivities have been cancelled in Brussels and extra measures are being put in place in other cities, including Paris, London, Berlin and Moscow.

Meanwhile in Turkey, security services say they have thwarted a major plot to attack celebrations in Ankara.