Two photographers reported beaten with batons during demonstration

Copenhagen Police will neither confirm nor deny that two photographers have been struck.

Ekstra Bladet's editor-in-chief Knud Brix calls it "completely unacceptable." (Photo: © Steven Knap, Ritzau Scanpix) 53 min. ago

Two photographers have been hit by officers during today's demonstration and counter-demonstration in Copenhagen. This is what Politiken and Ekstra Bladet report, where the two photographers are employed.

Ekstra Bladet photographer Anthon Unger says he was "smacked on the arm" with a baton during a clash between plainclothes officers and demonstrators.

Elsewhere during the demonstrations, a photographer from Politiken was also struck by police. In that case, it involved repeated blows, explains Politiken's photo editor Peter Hove Olesen.

The photographer in question was therefore at the emergency room around 7 PM to be examined and treated.

Read also: Police "forced to use force": Eight people arrested at demonstrations in Copenhagen

Deputy Police Inspector Jakob Hansen from Copenhagen Police confirms to DR News that both uniformed and plainclothes officers had their batons out.

However, they will neither confirm nor deny that two photographers have been struck.

- We need to get a handle on our own documentation, so we are completely clear on what happened down there, says Jakob Hansen.

--------------------------------------

Not yet aware of any complaints

--------------------------------------

Ekstra Bladet's editor-in-chief Knud Brix calls it "completely unacceptable" and intends to file a complaint.

- Additionally, I note that the man with the baton raises his hand up to our photographer's camera to try to push it away, which clearly indicates to me that he saw the camera, and therefore he absolutely should not strike.

Speaking to DR News, Jakob Hansen says he is not yet aware that a complaint has been filed.

- But if anyone has been wrongfully struck, one should of course file a complaint about it, is the deputy police inspector's appeal.

Politiken's photo editor Peter Hove Olesen also expects Copenhagen Police to immediately account for what happened with Politiken's photographer.

The Press Photographers' Association also levels harsh criticism at the police.

- I have seen the video of Ekstra Bladet's photographer being attacked, and it seems rather strange that the police cannot tell the difference between demonstrators and a photographer, says Cæciliie Philipa Vibe Pedersen, who is vice chair.

- Of course, our members must be able to cover a demonstration without being struck.

According to Jakob Hansen, no officers were injured during the demonstrations.

Eight people have been arrested in connection with today's demonstration in Copenhagen.

The demonstration was held by the right-wing grassroots movement Det Danske Folk. Counter-demonstrations were organized by several left-wing organizations.

Warning: This article was translated by a Large Language Model, in case of doubt, you can always visit the original source.