COPENHAGEN, Denmark – A 39-year-old man is due to appear before a judge for some preliminary questioning in relation to an assault on Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in central Copenhagen late on Friday, the police said in a statement.
Frederiksen’s office said yesterday that she was shocked after being beaten by a man at Kultorvet square in Copenhagen on Friday.
According to Soren Kjergaard, who works as a barista in central Copenhagen, the prime minister walked away unharmed and showed no outward signs of being attacked when she was escorted away by security agents.
At about 1 p.m. (1100 GMT), the suspect will be taken to the Copenhagen City Court for questioning; no further details were given by law enforcement officials.
The police or even the PM’s office have not disclosed anything regarding his motives or whether he had any weapon.
This attack comes two days before Denmark is expected to vote in European Parliament elections.
The earlier week witnessed more attacks after three politicians from Germany experienced assaults ahead of European Parliament and district council elections.
A number of EU leaders have condemned the incident that took place just three weeks after Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was seriously injured during an assassination attempt against him by one of his bodyguards.
“The attack on Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen represents an intolerable act of violence which strikes at the heart of democratic values,” said Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Prime Minister X says.
“Tonight I am shocked at you being assaulted. Such despicable act goes absolutely contrary to our belief and fight for Europe. You are very strong my friend; I wish you all courage.” Jean-Claude Juncker President of The European Commission wrote this last night.
