Muslim researcher assaulted at Aarhus University after threats

A young researcher with a Muslim background was physically assaulted at Aarhus University in late May, DR reports. The university had received threats against the researcher beforehand.

Police and an ambulance were called to Nobelparken, an area of the university, where the researcher from its Department of Culture and Society was assaulted on university grounds. The university’s media outlet Omnibus first reported the incident.

Department head Marie Vejrup Nielsen described the threats in a newsletter sent to staff on Tuesday. They were directed at a younger research colleague and questioned the department’s right to employ the person, she wrote. Shortly afterwards, the researcher was assaulted and later took an extended period of sick leave.

Nielsen said the incident had sharpened her focus on the responsibility to ensure that staff and students feel welcome and safe at work and in their place of study. She said she could not determine whether the researcher’s Muslim background played a role in the threats or assault, adding that the police investigation would establish that.

East Jutland Police confirmed to DR that they are investigating the case, including whether it could be a hate crime. No one has been arrested or charged, and police have not identified a suspect, deputy police inspector Christian Riis said.