07 June 2024 , 21:17
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Denmark's prime minister has been assaulted in the country's capital, her office has said.
Copenhagen police confirmed on Twitter that one person was in custody and an investigation is underway after Social Democrats leader Mette Frederiksen was attacked in Kultorvet Square, a pedestrianised part of the capital's Old Town.
It's currently unknown if Frederiksen was injured during the incident, but a barista reported seeing her seeming "stressed" while being escorted away by security officials. Speaking to the Danish state broadcaster DR, Frederiksen's office said she had been left "shocked".
Their statement read: "Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was beaten on Friday evening at Kultorvet in Copenhagen by a man who was subsequently arrested. The Prime Minister is shocked by the incident."
The reports gave no further details and it's unclear in what context the assault happened but the incident comes just ahead of the EU parliamentary elections on Sunday. At around 5pm, Frederiksen had been campaigning with the Social Democrats' EU lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose, as the pair visited a magazine, according to Danish broadcaster TV2. They parted ways around 30 minutes later, and the assault happened after an additional 20 minutes. However, media reports maintain that the attack was not linked to a campaign event.
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News of the assault was received with shock and condemnation by politicians across the political spectrum inside the small Scandinavian country and abroad.
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said "an attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy," while Charles Michel, president of the European Council, condemned on X what he called a "cowardly act of aggression."
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "Dear Mette, 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."