Danish PM Mette Frederiksen assaulted in central Copenhagen, man arrested

NEW DELHI: Denmark's prime minister Mette Frederiksen was assaulted and struck by an individual in central Copenhagen, according to Ritzau news agency, which cited police and the prime minister's office. The PM managed to leave the scene without any visible injuries, according to eyewitnesses.
The assailant was taken into custody by law enforcement authorities in the aftermath of the incident.
The assailant, described as tall and slim, attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. Another witness observed the man lying on the ground with a security service member's knee on his back, appearing confused and slightly dazed.
In a statement, the Prime Minister's office confirming the incident, said, "Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was beaten on Friday evening at Kultorvet (square, red.) in Copenhagen by a man who was subsequently arrested. The Prime Minister is shocked by the incident." However, they did not provide any additional information.
Both the Copenhagen Police and Denmark's national security and intelligence service acknowledged the incident but refrained from offering further details.
Expressing concern, Danish minister of environment Magnus Heunicke shared on X, "Mette is naturally shocked by the attack. I must say that it shakes all of us who are close to her."
EU leaders Charles Michel, Roberta Metsola, and Ursula von der Leyen strongly condemned the attack on Frederiksen, emphasizing that violence has no place in politics and that such cowardly acts go against European values and beliefs.
Frederiksen, who became Denmark's youngest prime minister in 2019, retained her position after winning the 2022 general election.
(With agency inputs)