COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – A 39-year-old man who attacked Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen on Friday, injuring his neck, was sentenced to 12 days in jail on Saturday, Danish police said.
The attack occurred on Friday in a city center square when a man walked up to the prime minister and punched her.
Frederiksen’s office said the incident left the politician “shocked” and he suffered a minor whiplash.
The Prime Minister’s Office added on Saturday that all official events on Saturday had been cancelled.
The attack occurred two days before Danes went to vote in EU elections.
Three German politicians were attacked a month ago ahead of elections for the European Parliament and regional councils, with more attacks earlier this week.
Soren Kjergaard, a local coffee shop worker, told Reuters after seeing Frederiksen being escorted away by security that Frederiksen was able to walk away without any incident after the attack. Signs of injury.
Copenhagen police said the man denied wrongdoing but believed his actions were not politically motivated.
According to broadcaster DR, the Copenhagen Municipal Court judge said that “there is a risk of flight given that the defendant has no ties to Denmark” as one of the reasons for imposing the prison sentence.
Several EU leaders condemned the incident, which came just three weeks after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was seriously injured in an assassination attempt.
“My good friend and Danish colleague Mette Frederiksen was attacked on the streets of Copenhagen last night. This is completely unacceptable and an attack on our open, democratic society,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gall Storey told the NTB news agency.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X on Friday:
“I am completely shocked by the news that you have been attacked tonight. I condemn this despicable act, which goes against everything we believe in and fight for in Europe. I wish you strength and courage – I know you both All.
