An Assault Occurs in Copenhagen - The incident involving Denmark's prime minister being targeted in an assault.
Following a recent assault on Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, investigators presently do not presume this was an organized attack driven by political motives. A person struck the 46-year-old on her arm in downtown Copenhagen, prompting the leader to be examined at a hospital. Although she suffered a minor shoulder injury, her workplace stated on a Saturday that she is in good health. However, the incident left her shaken.
Investigators detained a 39-year-old man. He is accused of striking Frederiksen with his fist on her arm. A judge ordered the suspect to stay in custody until June 20, according to the Danish news agency Ritzau. He denies his involvement in the attack.
Suspect was possibly under the influence of drugs and alcohol
The suspect was likely under the influence of drugs and alcohol, Ritzau stated, citing the police. He is of Polish citizenship and has been in Denmark for some time. At the trial, the man stated that he had no vendetta against Frederiksen. "She's a really good prime minister," he asserted, per reports. The man said he was flabbergasted to see her on the street.
The reasoning behind his alleged actions was unconfirmed. For now, the police's leading hypothesis is that the attack was not politically motivated. Instead, they believe it was an impromptu, isolated incident. The judge suspected the assailant was aware of Frederiksen's identity. Investigators have reason to believe the suspect committed violence against a public servant.
"Wishing you a speedy recovery, Mette!"
Numerous politicians condemned the attack. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) conveyed his wishes for Frederiksen's speedy recovery through a platform, stating: "Dear Mette, I wish you a speedy recovery!" French President Emmanuel Macron echoed Scholz's sentiments, while British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did the same. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed Frederiksen, saying: "I denounce this vile act, which contradicts all we value and maintain in Europe. I wish you strength and bravery - I know you have lots of both."
In recent times, several European politicians have been attacked in public settings, including in Germany:
- The SPD election campaigner Matthias Ecke was viciously assaulted in Dresden, resulting in hospitalization.
- An AfD local politician in Mannheim received injuries from a knife while chasing a poster vandal.
- The Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico endured a gunshot wound and serious injury, inflicted by a government foe on May 15.
Frederiksen shared abusive messages on the internet
Frederiksen canceled several engagements on Saturday. In the past, Frederiksen campaigned for a discussion on personal conduct, but she had requested it via social media. To highlight her criticism, she published numerous offensive messages she received. Among these were instances of bullying, sexism, insults, hatred, and threats. Frederiksen personally received similar insults and threats at an unprecedented volume.
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- Ritzau Bureau reported that the suspect in Mette Frederiksen's assault was suspected of being under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
- The 39-year-old man, who is of Polish citizenship and has been residing in Denmark for some time, denies his involvement in the assault against Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, according to Ritzau Bureau.
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) expressed his wishes for Frederiksen's speedy recovery, saying, "Dear Mette, I wish you a speedy recovery!"
- The SPD election campaigner Matthias Ecke was objected to vigorously in Dresden, resulting in hospitalization, which is one of several instances in recent times where European politicians have been targeted in public settings.
- Following the assault, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cancelled several engagements and shared abusive messages she received on the internet, including bullying, sexism, insults, hatred, and threats.
- Initiatives have been proposed by European leaders, such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, to expel severe offenders to combat the rise in violent assaults against politicians.
