Summit News Summary:

Lid’s off?

Chief Inspector Kai Vittrup of the Copenhagen Police has earlier stated that the police will only arrest demonstrators who are violent or impede lawful traffic and activities.

But in today’s edition of Jylland-Posten the same official declares that police won´t hesitate to arrest demonstrators if they are carrying garbage can lids. The Chief Inspector is of the opinion that garbage lid stealing has reached the level of organized theft and this breaches the level of tolerance. (Posted 15:22 CET)

Tuesday December 10:

Building a secret shield wall?

The Copenhagen Police have »gotten the first reports of disappearing trash can lids«, according to the Danish TV station TV2.

Police specuilate that the lids are being stolen by activists who plan to use them as shields when battling police during the upcoming EU summit.

– We can of course add two and two and think: what do they want them for? Probably not as roofs for igloos, says police spokesman Flemming Steen Munch to TV2. (Posted 17:43 CET)

Tougher punishment for aiding refugees

A report from a joint National Police and Integration Minsditry task force calls for tougher punishment of Danes who help refugees stay in Denmark after having their applications for asylum denied. The task force feels tahet tougher punishment is necessary because courts at present only impose small fines.

»Refugee priest« Leif Bork Hansen and criminal law expert Beth Grothe Nielsen are sceptical that increased punishment will stop people helping refugees – on the contrary, it might increase their motivation. (Posted 17:16 CET)

Monday December 9:

Police outside the law

During the weekend 40 Danish demonstrators went to Stockholm to participate in an antinazi demonstration. On the way home all 40 were arrested by Danish police and searched without being charged. This is a procedure recently declared illegal by the State Prosecutor.

Despite repeated requests the officers refused to inform their names or numbers to the detained people. Several officers acted agressively and three detained people were bitten by police dogs. (Posted 18:55 CET)

By Sven Gårn Hansen/Monsun