Henrik Sass Larsen, a former Danish minister, has been charged with possession of a significant amount of child sexual abuse material, including thousands of images and videos, leading to serious legal repercussions.
Details of the Charges
Henrik Sass Larsen, a well-known figure in Danish politics, is facing grave legal accusations. According to the indictment released by the Copenhagen Police’s prosecutorial authority, he is in possession of approximately 6,242 images and 2,231 video files containing child sexual abuse material. Among these, 252 images and 197 video files fall under the most severe classification, referred to as Category 3, which involves explicit depictions of children subjected to violence, coercion, or other serious offenses.
The evidence was amassed during searches conducted at Sass Larsen’s residence on July 5, 2023, and again on February 29, 2024. The illicit content was discovered stored on two laptops, a USB drive, and an iPhone.
Legal Proceedings and Responses
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Larsen has not been in pre-trial custody. His defense attorney, Peter Lundmark Jensen, mentioned that neither he nor Larsen has further comments to share at this time, leaving many questions unanswered. The former minister has, however, issued a statement vehemently denying the allegations, asserting, “I have never harmed a child—nor will I ever do so,” and he has expressed intentions to publish a comprehensive account of his side of the story in an upcoming book.
The prosecution’s strategy and the potential sentences are still under consideration. According to legal analyst Louise Dalsgaard from DR Nyheder, it is anticipated that the prosecution will pursue a prison sentence. In cases of this nature, there is a prevailing recommendation for outright imprisonment rather than fines, particularly when the materials in question are numerous and fall within the most severe categories.
Background of Henrik Sass Larsen
Henrik Martin Sass Larsen was born on May 29, 1966, in Virum, Denmark, but he grew up in the social housing complex Taastrupgård in Høje-Taastrup. His early life was tumultuous; he was forcibly removed from his family at the age of 12 and placed in a children’s home, later to be adopted.
Larsen pursued education at Roskilde University, where he began a bachelor’s degree in administrative studies but did not complete his education. His political career began at the age of 16 when he became a member of the Danish Social Democratic Youth. He served as the chairman of the youth party from 1992 to 1996 and was a member of the Folketing, Denmark’s parliament, from 2000 to 2019. During his tenure, he held various roles, including political spokesperson and group chairman, and briefly served as the Business and Growth Minister from 2013 to 2015.
In 2019, Larsen exited his political career to become the managing director of a trade organization called Aktive Ejere but had previously taken a leave of absence due to health issues, including depression.
Media Coverage and Public Reaction
On the afternoon of March 23, 2025, the Danish media outlet Berlingske reported that a former minister had been charged in a child abuse material case. This revelation sparked immediate coverage from several outlets, prompting Sass Larsen and his attorney to confirm that he was the individual in question. In light of the media attention, they requested a court session to seek a name ban, which was deemed unnecessary since the media had already identified him.
The courtroom proceedings and ultimate outcomes remain uncertain, though it is expected that prosecutors will move forward vigorously given the nature of the case.
As Henrik Sass Larsen prepares to face the charges in court, the legal process will likely unfold over an extended period. The implications of such serious allegations carry significant consequences, not only for Larsen but also for the public’s perception of political integrity in Denmark. With the prosecution’s determination and the ongoing media scrutiny, the upcoming months will be critical in determining the fate of this high-profile case.
