Danish PM Mette Frederiksen Attacked in Copenhagen; Assailant Arrested

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was shoved in the shoulder by a man in Copenhagen’s Kultorvet. The attacker, who attempted to flee, has been arrested. Frederiksen, who was “left shocked by the incident,” arrived at Copenhagen Square when a man approached her from the opposite direction and forcefully pushed her. According to Agence France-Presse, the Danish politician fell on her side but was not injured. The attacker tried to escape but was quickly apprehended.

Image credit: Getty Images

Who Was The Attacker?

The Prime Minister’s office informed AFP that Frederiksen was “hit by a man Friday evening (June 7) on Kultorvet in Copenhagen. The man was subsequently arrested.” Eyewitnesses shared their accounts of the incident.

Two women seated at a nearby fountain told the local newspaper BT, “A tall and slim man came from the opposite direction and gave her a hard shove on the shoulder, causing her to fall to the side.” They described it as a “strong push.”

Another witness, Kasper Jorgensen, told Ekstra Bladet that he saw the man after he was tackled to the ground. He noted that one of what he presumed to be the security service had put a knee on the man’s back. “They had pacified him, and as he lay there, he looked confused and a little dazed,” Jorgensen said. Following the attack, Mette Frederiksen was taken to a nearby café for safety.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders. European Union chief Charles Michel expressed his outrage, stating, “I am outraged by the assault.” Similarly, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola condemned the attack, saying, “Tonight’s assault on the Danish PM is appalling. Violence has no place in politics.”

The investigation is ongoing, but the attack has already prompted a strong response from the political community. Frederiksen, although shocked, remains unharmed, and security measures are likely to be reviewed following this incident.

In conclusion, the attack on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has highlighted concerns about political violence and the safety of public officials. The swift arrest of the attacker has been praised, and there is a collective call for ensuring such incidents do not occur again. The event serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining civility and security in public discourse.

Re-reported from the article originally published in She the people.