Helping Russia plan sabotage could bring life sentence

Helping a foreign intelligence service obtain information about Danish ports or companies could lead to long prison sentences, DR reports. In serious cases involving assistance with sabotage, those convicted could face up to life imprisonment, according to Birgit Feldtmann, a law professor at Aalborg University.

Feldtmann was responding to PET’s disclosure of concrete planning and preparations for sabotage against Denmark, reported by Berlingske. PET has also seen attempts to recruit ordinary Danes to carry out tasks for Russia.

“If someone assists with sabotage, such as blowing up facilities or something similar, it is very serious. We could be dealing with provisions that carry up to life imprisonment,” Feldtmann said.

She stressed that the outcome would depend heavily on the specific case. Several criminal provisions could apply if someone helps Russia carry out sabotage, including treason.

Whether a person knew they were helping Russia would also affect criminal liability. Feldtmann said the circumstances and what the person knew would be crucial.

PET’s head of counterintelligence, Emil Græsholm, told Berlingske that attempts to recruit ordinary Danes often take place on social media and regular online platforms. Those recruited may not know who they are working for.

“Our message is that people can unknowingly become part of Russia’s planning of sabotage,” Græsholm said.

Tasks may include photographing companies, freight transport, gates, warehouses or other installations for use in planning sabotage operations. Feldtmann said such tasks could constitute aiding and abetting if they help Russia prepare an attack or acts of sabotage.

Under Danish criminal law, sabotage is not currently listed as a separate offence. Justice Minister Nicolai Wammen has asked the Criminal Law Council to examine how the rules on influence operations, sabotage and other acts directed against Denmark can be modernised.