Two Swedish nationals have been sentenced to 12 and 14 years in prison for committing a terrorist attack near Israel’s embassy in Copenhagen. The men, aged 18 and 21, threw grenades near a residential building in Hellerup in October 2024, following instructions from unknown masterminds in the criminal network Foxtrot. Both have been permanently expelled from Denmark and have appealed the verdict.
Grenades Exploded Near Family Home
The attack took place in October 2024 when two grenades were thrown in the vicinity of Israel’s embassy in Hellerup. Instead of hitting their intended target, the explosives detonated near a family residence. As a result, both men were convicted not only of terrorism but also of attempted murder of the home’s occupants.
The 21-year-old defendant, Eyasu Semena, received a 14-year prison sentence, while the younger man, who was 16 at the time of the attack, was sentenced to 12 years. Danish media has chosen not to publish the younger defendant’s name because he was a minor when the crime occurred.
Prosecutor Demanded Maximum Sentences
Prosecutor Søren Harbo argued forcefully for lengthy prison terms to send a clear message to criminal organizations. He emphasized that the sentences should reflect the gravity of committing terrorism on Danish soil, regardless of whether anyone was physically injured.
In his closing arguments, Harbo stressed that no criminal groups, including Swedish ones, should attempt to relocate the violent aspects of the Palestinian conflict to Denmark. He originally requested at least 16 years imprisonment for the 21-year-old and a minimum of 12 years for the younger defendant.
The prosecutor pointed out that while the attack was directed at a villa housing a family with minor children, its ultimate purpose was to make Israel feel targeted and understand the message being sent.
Connection to Foxtrot Criminal Network
Police have linked the attack to the Swedish criminal network Foxtrot, though they have not identified the specific masterminds who ordered the two defendants to carry out the assault. The terror trial revealed that both men were acting on instructions from unknown figures within this organization.
Interestingly, the case highlights a troubling pattern where criminal networks recruit young individuals to execute violent acts across international borders. Nine hours before the Copenhagen attack, the younger defendant had already shot at Israel’s embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Background on Foxtrot Network
Swedish security service Säpo has previously stated that Iran has allegedly used the Foxtrot network as proxies to carry out attacks. This assertion adds another layer of complexity to the case, suggesting potential state sponsorship of criminal violence.
Denmark’s intelligence service PET assessed last spring that certain state actors do not shy away from using violent means to advance their ambitions. Sometimes this involves paying surrogates to act on their behalf, blurring the lines between organized crime and state-sponsored terrorism.
Defense Arguments for Lighter Sentences
Both defense attorneys argued that sentences ranging from eight to 10 years would have been more appropriate. Defense lawyer Kåre Pihlmann contended that the attack was hesitant and uncertain in execution, and fortunately no one was injured.
He emphasized that the assault did not stem from radicalization or representation of a terrorist organization in the traditional sense. Instead, the defendants appeared to be acting as hired operatives for a criminal network.
Defense attorney Jakob Buch-Jepsen presented evidence suggesting his client was in a dependency relationship with Foxtrot. According to the defense, the younger defendant began performing tasks for the criminal network when he was only 11 years old and had committed violent acts on their behalf ever since.
Claims of Coercion Rejected
The defense argued that coercion was evident in Stockholm and that the young man’s age and lack of insight had been exploited by the criminal organization. However, the court disagreed with this interpretation.
The judges found no messages or other communication supporting the claim that the 18-year-old was threatened or afraid. On the contrary, the court noted that he continued communicating with the masterminds after the Stockholm attack, thereby continuing his serious criminal activities.
Obviously, the court concluded that he must have considered it overwhelmingly likely that his mission in Denmark was a continuation of the Stockholm operation. Therefore, it constituted an armed and objectively dangerous mission directed at Israeli interests.
Historical Context of Terror Sentences
The sentences handed down align with previous Danish court practice in terrorism cases. In 2012, four Swedish men with Tunisian backgrounds each received 12 years in prison for an attempted terrorist attack against the Jyllands-Posten newspaper building in Copenhagen.
That case also involved individuals who arrived from Sweden armed with weapons and intent to kill as many people as possible. Similarly, in 2011, a man who attacked cartoonist Kurt Westergaard with an axe received 10 years in prison.
These precedents demonstrate that Danish courts consistently impose severe penalties for terrorism-related offenses, particularly when they involve cross-border criminal networks and threats to public safety.
Appeal to Higher Court
Both defendants have appealed their convictions and sentences to the landsretten, Denmark’s regional appeals court. The appeals process will provide an opportunity for the defense to present additional arguments and potentially seek reduced sentences.
Meanwhile, the case has heightened awareness of how criminal networks are increasingly using young recruits to carry out violent attacks across Scandinavian borders. The trend represents a new type of terrorism that combines organized crime with politically motivated violence.
As a result, Danish authorities have strengthened security measures around potential targets and increased cooperation with Swedish law enforcement to prevent similar attacks in the future.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Terror Trial Shakes Copenhagen After Embassy Attack
The Danish Dream: Best Lawyer in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Svenskere får 12 og 14 års fængsel for terrorangreb og drabsforsøg
