A former Danish police officer and online activist has been sentenced to eight months in prison for threats and harassment targeting top officials, including the prime minister and minister of justice.
Former Officer Convicted Again
A Copenhagen court has sentenced former police officer Lars Kragh Andersen to eight months in prison after finding him guilty on multiple counts of harassment, threats, and illegal possession of weapons and drugs. The case marks Andersen’s latest conviction in a series of legal troubles stretching back years.
According to the court, Andersen was guilty of threatening officials such as Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, a prosecutor, and two members of the police. Although he was acquitted of some charges, including allegedly attempting to attach a GPS tracker to Hummelgaard’s car, the court found enough evidence to impose a prison sentence.
Acquitted of GPS Tracker Attempt
The prosecution had argued that Andersen tried to place a tracker with the username “dummepeter@proton.me” on the justice minister’s car. He was arrested near Hummelgaard’s residence with a tracker device, an illegal knife, and pepper spray in his possession.
However, the court accepted his explanation that he had no intention of surveilling the vehicle. The judge concluded that Andersen had committed an act of activism rather than an attempt at illegal monitoring.
Bribery and Threats
The former officer was also convicted of offering 50,000 kroner on social media to anyone who could provide the minister’s private health records. The court considered this an act of active bribery and stressed that his motivation was linked to a political protest against proposed intelligence laws expanding surveillance powers.
In addition, Andersen was convicted for sending a menacing message to a prosecutor who had earlier dismissed a threat case involving politician Rasmus Paludan. The message included violent language implying a “headshot,” which the court described as a serious death threat.
Pattern of Harassment
The court took into account Andersen’s past offenses. These include sharing Prime Minister Frederiksen’s personal identification number and harassing a police officer. The verdict cited his previous record as an aggravating factor.
Prosecutors had asked for at least one year in prison, while Andersen’s defense sought a lighter sentence of 30 to 60 days. The judge ultimately imposed eight months without suspension, mentioning that Andersen himself requested the harshest possible punishment.
The Law on Harassment of Officials
Under section 119 of the Danish Penal Code, anyone who harasses or threatens public officials, including politicians or civil servants, can face up to two years in prison. The court emphasized that Andersen’s repeated actions fell under this provision, as they targeted officials performing their public duties.
Authorities Warn of Anti-Government Radicalization
Denmark’s Center for Terror Analysis recently classified harassment and intimidation of public officials as a form of anti-authority radicalization. The center notes that while such individuals may not commit violence themselves, their messages can inspire others. Activists like Andersen often use social media to spread narratives that challenge democratic institutions and public trust.
This warning echoes other recent criminal cases in Denmark involving radical or provocative figures. For example, a former Danish minister has been charged in an unrelated but highly publicized case that also stirred debate about accountability and public perception of authority.
Previous Convictions
Andersen’s record includes several convictions:
– In 2023, he received eight months in prison for firearm offenses, data leaks, and incitement during the COVID-19 period.
– In 2024, he served 30 days for another data privacy violation.
– In 2020, he was sentenced to nine months for involvement in arson and possession of multiple illegal weapons.
– In 2015, he was given 30 days for possessing pepper spray and breaching data protection laws involving two ministers and a member of parliament.
His repeated offenses and public activism have made him one of Denmark’s most controversial former police officers.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Danish ex-minister charged with child abuse material
The Danish Dream: Best criminal defence lawyers in Denmark for foreigners
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