Polish man faces charges after alleged assault on Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen

A 39-year-old Polish man is facing unusual charges, including for an incident where he allegedly struck Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on the shoulder in June. The case has garnered significant media attention, particularly because it involves a senior political figure.

Defense attorney Mette Grith Stage describes the case as “quite unusual,” pointing out that while many professionals like nurses and police officers face assault in their line of work, a politician—especially a prime minister—does not encounter such incidents often. The accused is charged under a provision that protects public officials, specifically individuals acting in their official capacity.

Stage explains that in cases of simple assault, the penalties are less severe—ranging from fines to three years in prison—while assaults on public officials can lead to sentences of up to eight years. This distinction is expected to be central to the case, with prosecutors asserting that the prime minister is always considered “on duty,” thereby necessitating heightened protection due to her role.

On the day of the incident, Frederiksen was en route to a private engagement. The defense maintains that there was no planning involved in the action against her, emphasizing its spontaneous nature. The case is set to be compared with previous incidents involving assaults on sitting prime ministers, including a 2013 case where a man was sentenced for firing a water gun at former Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt.

The accused denies the charges related to the assault on Frederiksen and claims no clear recollection of the event due to intoxication. The trial begins today at 09:30 and will continue on Wednesday.