UPDATE - Danish premier assaulted in Copenhagen: Minister

ADDS REMARKS FROM EUROPEAN LEADERS

By Nur Asena Erturk

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked in Copenhagen on Friday, according to the environment minister.

Frederiksen was assaulted by a man in Kultorvet, a public square in Denmark’s capital, Magnus Heunicke said on X.

He described the assault as “ugly and unacceptable.”

Copenhagen police’s post on X confirmed the announcement.

An incident involving Frederiksen occurred in Kultorvet, the police said, without sharing further details.

The attacker was arrested and an investigation is underway, the police added.

- European leaders slam attack on ‘democracy’

EU Council President Charles Michel said on X he was “outraged” and condemned the assault that he described as a “cowardly act of aggression.”

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also wrote on X: “Mette Frederiksen has been attacked in the open street.”

He called Mette Frederiksen “a very good colleague and wise partner.”

“An attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy,” Kristersson said.

Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo expressed his “deep shock” and strongly condemned “any form of violence against democratically elected leaders in our free societies.”