An Afghan man is seeking compensation from the Danish government after being detained upon arrival in Denmark during the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation. The Copenhagen City Court is now hearing the case after the state prosecutor and director of public prosecutions denied his initial request. The man’s lawyer argues that his client could not have foreseen the detention, as he was evacuated with the knowledge and acceptance of Danish authorities.

The 34-year-old man, along with his wife and children, arrived at Kastrup Airport on August 24, 2021, on a Danish evacuation plane. He was then immediately arrested and detained due to a pre-existing entry ban valid until February 1, 2023. Despite the entry ban violation, both the city court and high court ruled that the man should not be punished, leading to his claim for compensation for the time spent in detention.

The State Prosecutor in Copenhagen has denied the compensation claim, citing “self-inflicted guilt,” based on documents obtained by Ritzau. The man originally received the entry ban in 2016 after being convicted of arson for setting fire to a mattress at an asylum center.

During the trial for violating the entry ban, the court acknowledged the man’s guilt but ultimately decided against punishment. The court considered the possibility of an active threat against him from the Taliban as a mitigating factor.

The State Prosecutor in Copenhagen is seeking acquittal from the compensation claim in the upcoming court hearing. A ruling date from the Copenhagen City Court has not yet been announced.