Former Social Democratic minister Henrik Sass Larsen has admitted to downloading film sequences and abuse material involving children, but maintains his innocence in the case against him. Larsen is charged with possession of child abuse material, but his defense team is seeking acquittal.

According to his defender, Berit Ernst, the legal team believes that the circumstances of the case do not warrant punishment under the law. Ernst suggests that if acquittal is not possible, her client should be granted immunity from punishment.

Larsen claims he downloaded the material while searching for evidence of his own childhood abuse. He states that in 2018, he received a link in an email that led to a video clip depicting a sexual assault against him when he was three years old in 1969.

The charges against Sass Larsen include possession of over 6200 images and 2200 film sequences of child abuse material. He is also charged with possessing a child doll constructed for a sexual purpose, described in the indictment as being “cut open in the crotch and attached to an electronic control.” He pleads not guilty to all charges.