Climate activists take the police to court

It was not to be seen that the biggest case of administrative deprivation of liberty in 14 years was initiated in the district court on Tuesday. Because only one person was in place at the start of the court hearing in Copenhagen City Court's largest room, in addition to lawyers and the press.

This person - a 24-year-old man with a full beard and brown curly hair in a ponytail - along with 120 other climate activists, wants the court's word that it was illegal when they were deprived of their liberty in May 2022. They blocked bridges and roads in inner Copenhagen, where they made it clear with meter-long banners, songs and chants that they were dissatisfied with the Danish climate action.

On 10 May, the young man was arrested at a demonstration near Axelborg, where the interest organization Landbrug & Fødevarer is based. He was strip-searched at the station, he explains.

- It was very offensive, and it was not my impression that it was necessary or proportionate, said the 24-year-old.

Nude inspection and no review of rights

Three other activists also told about an unpleasant encounter with the police. They are two women in their 20s who are educated economists and civil engineers, and a male building designer in his 60s. They also talk about strip searches, hot prison cells and no information about their rights.

However, the man in his 60s remembers that he was given a note in the cell stating his rights.

- But I had to hand in my glasses at the counter, so I couldn't read it, he said.

The legal focus is the Police Act. According to it, law enforcement can in some cases deprive citizens of their liberty if it is necessary to avert a danger to public order. It must last up to six hours. If it concerns many people, the deadline is 12 hours. Citizens may only be deprived of their liberty for as short a time as possible, and this must be done as gently as possible.

Jurist Jannick Rasmussen read several times from notes that the protesters' actions were a significant disturbance of public order. That repeated orders were issued for them to move off the roads and that they were eventually removed without any scratches or the like.

Last court day is 11 November. The verdict is expected later.

/ritzau/