Danish police complaints body receives multiple inquiries over Maersk protest treatment

Denmark’s Independent Police Complaints Authority (DUP) has received several inquiries concerning police handling of a protest outside Maersk’s headquarters in Copenhagen on 13 May 2026, the authority told B.T., as reported by DR. The inquiries are currently being reviewed to determine further action.

Police used batons and showed police dogs’ teeth against protesters who had gathered at the entrance to Maersk’s headquarters. Videos of the incident spread on social media, drawing criticism from observers who questioned the police response.

Københavns Politi told TV2 Kosmopol and DR that officers “briefly” used batons because protesters had entered private property and refused to follow police instructions. Leading police inspector Peter Dahl said it is not always possible to carry people away from a scene, and in such cases physical force may become necessary following a specific assessment. He added that police always seek a peaceful solution and try to maintain dialogue with organisers.

Twenty people were arrested during the demonstration. The protesters demanded that Maersk stop transporting weapons parts that could end up in war crimes and genocide against Palestinians.

Maersk has previously told Ekstra Bladet that it transported “militarily related equipment” to Israel but denied that the shipments could be described as “weapons”.