Elias Ramadan Lamrabet, 36, has been acquitted by the Eastern High Court of inciting a crime during a Palestine demonstration in May 2021. This reverses the Copenhagen City Court’s previous ruling.

Last year, Lamrabet was initially sentenced to 60 days’ suspended imprisonment for allegedly inciting war against and extermination of Israel in a speech he gave at the demonstration. At the time, Lamrabet served as a media representative for Hizb-ut-Tahrir, an Islamic organization in Denmark.

Lamrabet’s defense lawyer, Henrik Stagetorn, expressed his and his client’s satisfaction with the Eastern High Court’s decision. Stagetorn explained that the acquittal was based on the court’s assessment that Lamrabet’s speech did not constitute a sufficiently concrete incitement to crime.

During the demonstration, which was themed “Palestine calls for liberation,” Lamrabet reportedly urged members of the Muslim community to “get rid of” Israel. According to the indictment, he stated, “Call on those in your umma (term for the Muslim community, ed.) who have the ability, and who have the power, and who have the training, and who have the weapons, to get rid of what they call Israel.” He further urged attendees to “Accept no compromise solution.”

In 2024, Lamrabet explained in the city court that his appeal was aimed not at civilians but at the military forces surrounding Israel. However, the Copenhagen City Court did not accept this explanation.

The Copenhagen City Court acquitted him of inciting crimes against Jews but convicted him of inciting war against and extermination of Israel.

Although the speech occurred on May 16, 2021, Lamrabet was only interrogated and charged in 2023. The public treasury will cover the case costs.