A decision from a judge in the Copenhagen City Court has brought attention to a lawyer facing money laundering charges, as a ban on publishing the lawyer’s name has been lifted. The ruling, which was immediately appealed by the defendant’s attorney, means that the Eastern High Court (Østre Landsret) will now determine whether the name ban should remain in effect. Meanwhile, while the high court is reviewing the case, the press is still prohibited from disclosing the lawyer’s name.
The lawyer in question is accused of laundering a sum of 2,447,377.93 Danish kroner (approximately $365,000) and attempting to launder an additional 6.75 million kroner (around $1 million). One count of the indictment details how 939,552.93 kroner was divided into 15 transfers to various recipients. Additionally, the lawyer faces allegations of multiple violations of money laundering laws and disclosing confidential information from a criminal case.
Several journalists attended the court session, arguing that the name ban should be lifted due to the gravity of the case and the lawyer’s role. The judge also considered the nature of the case in reaching the decision. The prosecution is led by the National Unit for Special Criminality (National enhed for Særlig Kriminalitet, NSK), which is also requesting the suspension of the lawyer from practicing law and providing legal advice until further notice.