Man Accused of Assaulting Danish Prime Minister to Face Pre-Trial Custody Hearing

**Assault on Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Sparks Outrage and Concern**

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — In an unsettling incident that has sent shockwaves through Denmark and beyond, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was reportedly assaulted in central Copenhagen. The attack, which occurred on Friday, has led to the arrest of a 39-year-old man, with authorities scheduling a pre-trial custody hearing for Saturday.

The nature of the assault remains partially unclear, but eyewitness accounts to the Danish daily BT described a man forcefully pushing Frederiksen on the shoulder, causing her to be shoved aside, though she did not fall. The prime minister’s office, speaking to the Danish state broadcaster DR, stated that Frederiksen was “shocked” by the event, but no visible injuries were reported.

The incident took place in the bustling Kultorvet Square, with Søren Kjærgaard, a local bar worker, noting that Frederiksen appeared unharmed physically but left the scene quickly. The swift response from what seemed to be a member of Frederiksen’s protection detail and a police officer ensured the assailant was apprehended promptly.

This assault has drawn condemnation from political figures both within Denmark and across Europe. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed solidarity, emphasizing that an attack on a democratically elected leader is an attack on democracy itself. Similarly, Charles Michel, president of the European Council, denounced the act as “cowardly aggression” on social media platform X.

The attack on Frederiksen, who has led Denmark since 2019 and navigated the country through the COVID-19 pandemic and other significant challenges, marks a rare moment of violence against politicians in Denmark. It comes at a time when concerns over the safety of public figures are growing, highlighted by recent incidents in the run-up to the EU elections, including an assault on a German candidate and an assassination attempt on Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico.

As Frederiksen and the Social Democrats’ EU lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose, continue their campaign, the incident has not been linked to any campaign event. However, it underscores the increasing tension and the importance of security for public figures in today’s political climate.

The Copenhagen District Court in Frederiksberg is set to hold the custody hearing at 1100 GMT, as the nation and its leaders grapple with the implications of this disturbing event.