COPENHAGEN: A 39-year old man who ass­aulted Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Freder­iksen in Copenhagen, causing her to suffer a neck injury, was sentenced on Saturday to 12 days in custody, Danish police said.

The assault took place in a square in the city centre on Friday when a man walked up to the prime minister and hit her. The PM office said the incident had left the politician “shocked” and suffering a minor whiplash injury.

All the prime minister’s official events on Saturday have been cancelled, her office added. The assault comes two days before Danes head to the EU polls.

Frederiksen, was able to walk away and had no outward signs of harm after the assault, Soren Kjergaard, a shopkeeper, said after seeing her being escorted away by security.

Copenhagen police said it did not think that the man, who has denied wrongdoing, was politically motivated in his act. “In light of the fact that the accused has no connection to Denmark, there is a risk of escape,” the judge at the Copenhagen City court said as one reason for the custodial sentence, according to broadcaster DR.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X on Friday: “I was so shocked at the news of you being assaulted tonight. I condemn this despicable act which goes against everything we believe and fight for in Europe. I wish you strength and courage — I know you have plenty of both.”

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2024