The Belgian federal judiciary announced that seven people, five Belgians, a Turk and a Bulgarian, were placed in pre-trial detention on Wednesday after being charged with preparing "possible terrorist attacks".

The Federal Public Prosecution said in a statement that it had charged the seven detainees with "participation in the activities of a terrorist group," while only five of them were charged with a second charge of "preparing to carry out a terrorist crime."

The police had arrested them on Monday evening in Brussels and Antwerp during a security operation against the jihadist movement in the country.

Seven years ago, Belgium was subjected to attacks claimed by the Islamic State. Ten men are currently being tried in connection with these attacks in the Criminal Court.

These attacks killed 32 people and injured more than 340 on March 22, 2016.