The Copenhagen Police have been acquitted in a case concerning the alleged unlawful detention of five climate activists from the “Emergency Brake” movement during a demonstration in the summer of 2024. The Eastern High Court ruled that the police acted lawfully in detaining the activists for up to approximately four hours.

The High Court judges found no evidence to support the activists’ claims that two of them were subjected to naked searches during their detention.

The incident occurred on June 21st last year when the activists blocked morning traffic on Vejlands Allé, causing significant traffic congestion.

According to the High Court ruling, police initially ordered the demonstrators to clear the road at 08:03. When the officers left, the activists returned and blocked traffic again, leading to their arrest at 08:27.

The court determined that the duration of the detention, ranging from three hours and 36 minutes to four hours and eight minutes, was not excessive.

The judges stated that police have a degree of discretion in determining the necessary length of detention for case processing.

Two of the activists alleged that they were subjected to naked searches during transport to Station Bellahøj, a claim the police denied. The High Court concluded that there was no basis to prove that naked searches occurred.

The ruling acknowledges that other courts have previously found instances of illegal naked searches conducted by the police, such as a case involving other climate activists ruled on by the Copenhagen City Court on December 18th last year.