It was not visible that the largest case of administrative detention in 14 years was initiated in the district court on Tuesday. For only one person was present at the hearing in the largest room of the Copenhagen City Court, 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 - will, along with 120 other climate activists, have 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 slogans that they were dissatisfied with the Danish climate action.
On May 10, the young man was arrested at a demonstration at Axelborg, where the interest organization Landbrug & Fødeverer is located. At the station, he was strip-searched, he explains.
- It was very offensive, and I did not feel that it was necessary or proportionate, said the 24-year-old.
Strip-search and no review of rights
Three other activists also told of an unpleasant encounter with the police. They are two women in their 20s, who are educated as economists and civil engineers, and a male building constructor 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 could not read it, he said.
The legal focus is the Police Act. According to it, in some cases, the police can deprive citizens of their liberty if it is necessary to avert a danger to public order. This may last up to six hours. If it concerns many people, the time limit is 12 hours. Citizens may only be deprived of their liberty for as short a time as possible, and it must be done as gently as possible.
Lawyer Jannick Rasmussen read out notes several times stating 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 injuries or the like.
The last court date is November 11. The verdict is expected later.
/ritzau/
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