HomeDanish Crime NewsPolice Error Leads to Reduced Sentences in Football Riot Cases in Denmark

Police Error Leads to Reduced Sentences in Football Riot Cases in Denmark

A mistake by the police has led to the reduction of penalties in seven cases related to disturbances during a football match between F.C. Copenhagen (FCK) and Brøndby last year. The Eastern High Court (Østre Landsret) ruled last week on a significant case, revealing that the police failed to meet the requirement to publish the introduction of a penalty zone on their website before the match day on November 12th. This error means that the penalties in the seven cases will now be halved.

As a result of the court’s decision, the public prosecutor’s office at Copenhagen Police (Københavns Politi) will now request the Eastern High Court to reduce the sentences in the affected cases, where the City Court (byretten) had previously issued judgments. Additionally, eight other cases that have yet to be heard by the City Court have been put on hold until a new decision can be made, according to Special Prosecutor Morten Frørup.

The issue arose because the police did not follow legal requirements to publish the decision regarding the penalty zone, which is necessary in order to double the penalties for offenses committed within that zone. Consequently, the Eastern High Court acquitted a 22-year-old FCK fan of the enhanced penalty, as the police’s oversight meant that the rule for doubling the penalty could not be applied.

The judges supported the defense’s claim made by lawyer David Neutzsky-Wulff, and the court’s decision will now have implications for a total of 15 criminal cases. Alongside the seven already resolved cases, the changes will also affect the eight cases awaiting judgment.

The 22-year-old man, who was at the center of the pivotal case, had exhibited aggressive behavior by shouting and yelling at the police in various locations in Copenhagen, near Parken Stadium and on Jagtvej. He was originally sentenced to three months of unconditional imprisonment. Other cases involve more serious offenses such as violence against the police and violations of mask-wearing bans, according to the special prosecutor.

This ruling indicates that the police’s failure to publicize the penalty zone significantly impacts the ongoing criminal cases, as the legal escalation of penalties cannot be applied.

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