A police assistant went on trial Wednesday at the Court in Aarhus, accused of violating a colleague’s modesty at a staff party in 2022. He admits exposing himself, but denies touching the colleague or using a racist slur.
The hearing at Retten i Aarhus was reported by DR, using material from the Ritzau news agency. The officer is charged with blufærdighedskrænkelse, the Danish offense of violating another person’s modesty.
According to the indictment described in court, the defendant took out his penis and struck or rubbed it several times against a colleague’s upper arm. Prosecutors also allege he made a remark containing a racist slur while doing so. The incident is said to have taken place at the bar Brocaféen in June 2022.
The event was a department summer party held after working hours, with many colleagues from the unit present, the defendant told the court. He said the group had been drinking and described himself as intoxicated at the time.
He explained that he had tried to get the attention of a colleague to ask which drink the person wanted. When he failed to make eye contact, he decided to perform what he called a gimmick. He pulled down his trousers and pulled his penis up over his underwear, exposing only the outer three centimeters, per his account.
The defendant said the gesture was aimed at a colleague he had a particularly good relationship with. Another colleague then looked over his shoulder and asked what he was doing, he told the court. That colleague is the injured party in the case.
The defendant flatly denies touching the man with his penis. He also rejects the allegation that he used the slur, telling the court it is not part of his vocabulary.
The colleague who reported the case testified that he felt unable to react in the moment, and that he clearly felt contact on his upper arm. He described the conversation in the room falling silent while everyone looked at him. He called the episode far beyond his boundaries, offensive and humiliating.
Prison sentence sought
Local outlet Din Avis, part of Århus Stiftstidende, reported before the trial that the prosecution is seeking a custodial sentence if the officer is convicted. The outlet refers to the injured colleague under the pseudonym Hassan, and describes him feeling a warm touch on his upper arm before looking up.
BT, which carries the same Ritzau wire report, also notes that the police assistant has been suspended from his job since he was charged. Several colleagues who witnessed the episode have been summoned as witnesses.
The court is expected to conclude the case on Tuesday.
