Police officer apologises to photographer struck during Copenhagen protest

A plainclothes police officer who hit Ekstra Bladet photographer Anthon Unger with a baton during a demonstration in Copenhagen has apologised, DR reports. Unger said they had a good conversation and that there were “no hard feelings” between them, while adding that police hitting members of the press was a broader concern.

The incident happened on Saturday as the right-wing grassroots movement Det Danske Folk held a demonstration that drew several counter-demonstrations. A photographer from Politiken was also struck by police and later went to hospital. Unger said his arm was sore but he did not need hospital treatment.

Unger said he was wearing a press card and carrying two large cameras. He said he believed he had positioned himself correctly to get the best picture and would make the same choice again. He described the officers as being under considerable pressure because of the large group of demonstrators facing them.

Copenhagen Police said it was looking into aspects of what happened and had no further comment for now. The force had said on Saturday that it could neither confirm nor deny reports that two photographers had been struck.

Editors at Ekstra Bladet and Politiken have condemned the incidents and said they would report the assaults. The Danish Press Photographers’ Association also criticised the police, saying journalists should be able to cover demonstrations without being hit.