International Courant
Police arrest one man and open an investigation into the Kultorvet Sq. incident that left the Prime Minister ‘shocked’.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was “hit” by a person in central Copenhagen, her workplace stated.
The 46-year-old was “shocked by the incident” on Friday night within the capital’s Kultorvet Sq., the workplace stated in an announcement, with out giving additional particulars.
“Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a person on Friday night at Kultorvet in Copenhagen. The person was subsequently arrested,” the assertion stated, in line with AFP information company.
Copenhagen police additionally stated on
It was unclear in what context the assault occurred, however it got here two days earlier than Danes went to the polls to vote within the European Union parliamentary elections, which conclude throughout the bloc on Sunday. Frederiksen has campaigned with the Social Democrats’ EU management candidate, Christel Schaldemose. In accordance with media studies, the assault was not linked to any marketing campaign occasion.
‘Sturdy push’
Two witnesses, Marie Adrian and Anna Ravn, informed BT newspaper that they noticed Frederiksen arrive on the sq. simply earlier than 6:00 PM (4:00 PM GMT) as they sat by a close-by fountain.
“A person handed by from the wrong way and shoved her arduous within the shoulder, inflicting her to fall to the aspect,” the newspaper quoted the ladies as saying.
They added that though it was a “sturdy push,” Frederiksen didn’t hit the bottom.
In accordance with the witnesses, the prime minister then sat down in a close-by cafe. They described the person as tall and slim and stated he had tried to run away however didn’t get far earlier than he was grabbed by males in fits and pushed to the bottom.
One other witness, Kasper Jorgensen, informed the Ekstra Bladet newspaper that he noticed the person after he was knocked to the bottom, and stated that somebody from what he assumed was a part of the safety service pressed a knee on the person’s again had laid.
“They’d him calmed down, and as he lay there he regarded confused and somewhat dazed,” Jorgensen informed the newspaper.
A resident informed Reuters that Frederiksen was led away by safety after the assault.
“She appeared somewhat burdened,” stated Soren Kjergaard, who works as a barista on the plaza.
‘Despicable act’
Information of the assault was met with shock and condemnation by politicians from throughout the political spectrum in Denmark and past.
European Council President Charles Michel stated he was “outraged by the assault,” whereas European Parliament President Roberta Metsola urged Frederiksen to “keep sturdy,” including in a submit on has no place in politics.”
The pinnacle of the European Fee, Ursula von der Leyen, additionally condemned what she referred to as a “despicable act that goes towards the whole lot we consider in and struggle for in Europe,” in an announcement to social media.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that “an assault on a democratically elected chief can also be an assault on our democracy.”
In 2019, Frederiksen turned Denmark’s youngest prime minister, taking the submit after rising victorious within the 2022 common election.
“I have to say it shocks all of us who’re near her,” Danish Atmosphere Minister Magnus Heunicke stated on social media. “One thing like this could not occur in our stunning, secure and free nation.”
Violence towards politicians has develop into a theme within the run-up to the EU elections. In Could, a German Social Democrats candidate was overwhelmed and critically injured whereas campaigning for a seat within the European Parliament.
In Slovakia, the election marketing campaign was overshadowed by an try and assassinate Prime Minister Robert Fico on Could 15, sending shockwaves by the nation and Europe.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen attacked by man on the sq. in Copenhagen | Information
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