COPENHAGEN: A Polish man pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday over charges that he attacked and injured the Danish prime minister during a chance encounter in June, in a case that raised concern over the safety of public officials in the Nordic country.

The incident, which took place two days before European Parliament elections, left Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen with a minor neck injury and led her to cancel several engagements while warning of rising aggression in public places.

The 39-year-old defendant, who is accused of punching Frederiksen while walking in a public square in Copenhagen, told the court he had recognised Frederiksen but denied touching her, Danish TV2 reported from the trial.

The man said he could not remember much from the episode due to his intoxication at the time. One of Frederiksen’s security guards testified in court that the defendant had punched the prime minister. Frederiksen is not expected to testify at the trial.

Eyewitnesses have said that Frederiksen was able to leave the scene unaided after the assault. Her office said at the time that she had sustained a minor whiplash injury. The defendant, dressed in a T-shirt with a colourful print, said he had lived in Denmark since 2019. He also admitted in court to some charges of fraud and indecent exposure, while denying others.

A verdict in the case could come as soon as Wednesday, the Copenhagen court has said. After the June attack, Frederiksen spoke in a television interview of what she said was a change in public discourse, citing hostility on social media and aggressive behaviour.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2024