Aarhus Municipality and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been acquitted in a lawsuit filed by a young woman seeking compensation after she was sent on a re-education trip to Somalia. The Court in Aarhus ruled against the woman, who argued that the authorities did not adequately protect her.

The now 24-year-old woman, Amal, sued both the municipality and the ministry, claiming they failed to take sufficient action before, during, and after her trip. Her lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, expressed disappointment with the court’s decision, stating they believed the municipality should have done more to prevent the trip and the ministry should have intervened when suspicions arose and provided more assistance when she fled.

This case marks the first time a Danish court has been asked to hold an authority liable in connection with a re-education trip. Both Aarhus Municipality and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously denied her claim for compensation.

Following the judgment, Louise Rohde, a staff head in Aarhus Municipality, described the case as “sad,” emphasizing the importance of preventing such trips. She stated that everyone deserves to live free from negative social control and honor-related conflicts, and society must prevent children and young people from being sent on re-education trips by their parents. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented briefly, expressing satisfaction that the court found they had met their legal obligations.

The case was heard by three judges in the Court in Aarhus. During the proceedings in May, Amal testified about her experiences in the camp, describing a daily life of Koran reading and being held in chains. She explained that her parents sent her to Somalia due to her break with Islam. A municipal case worker also testified, revealing that Amal’s mother had mentioned the possibility of sending her to Somalia to the case worker approximately six months before it occurred.

Amal is now required to pay legal costs, totaling 125,000 kroner to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 125,000 kroner to Aarhus Municipality. Christoffersen indicated that Amal has not yet decided whether to appeal the judgment.