The assault on Mette Frederiksen

The perpetrator: "She is a really good prime minister"

The 39-year-old who was arrested today for punching Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is a Polish citizen who has lived in Denmark since 2019. During today's detention hearing, he himself spoke about the attack.

He denied that he has anything against Frederiksen, but on the contrary says that she is a "really good prime minister" who does a good job. He said he was downtown for a fun night out, and was asked if he knew the Prime Minister was going to show up.

- No, I was very surprised. Very positively surprised, replied the 39-year-old.

The police assess that the man was both drunk and under the influence of drugs in connection with the attack - and according to Danish media, the man also appeared to be under the influence during the hearing. He was asked if he could remember what he did on Friday afternoon.

- To be completely honest: no, not very much, he answered.

The police's hypothesis is that the attack was not politically motivated. He is now in custody until June 20.

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Man detained for attack on Frederiksen: "Was drunk"

The 39-year-old man who was arrested for the assault on Mette Frederiksen has been detained, writes Ritzau. He is suspected of hitting Frederiksen with a clenched fist on the right arm.

At the time of the assault, the man was drunk and under the influence of drugs, according to information to Ekstrabladet. He admitted at the detention hearing that he assaulted Frederiksen and that he knew she was the Prime Minister of Denmark.

According to the Copenhagen police, however, it is not believed that the attack was politically motivated.

The attack occurred in Copenhagen on Friday afternoon. Frederiksen suffered a mild whiplash injury and has canceled Saturday's campaigning ahead of the EU elections.
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The man will now be in custody until June 20.
Frederiksen cancels meetings - has suffered a whiplash injury

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has suffered a minor whiplash injury after the attack in Copenhagen on Friday afternoon. This is announced by her staff according to the news agency Ritzau.

Frederiksen was taken to Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen after the assault, where she was examined. On Saturday, she is reported to have developed neck symptoms, which should be of a milder nature. Frederiksen will cancel today's planned EU campaigning, writes TT.

A 39-year-old man has been arrested after the incident. He will be heard on Saturday in a so-called "fundamental law hearing". Then the judge will decide whether he should continue to be detained.

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Frederiksen's first words: "I need to be by myself"

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is now commenting for the first time on the attack against her in Copenhagen yesterday.

In a statement, the S-politician says that she is "sad and shaken", but is otherwise fine.

The prime minister's office also states that she will not participate in any activities on election day tomorrow, according to Danish TV2.

"For once, I need peace and quiet. Both for body and soul. I need to be with my family and have some time for myself," she writes in the statement.

A 39-year-old Polish citizen was arrested today for the assault.