Danish government parties are pushing for a renewed investigation into the possibility of banning the Islamic organization Hizb ut-Tahrir. This comes after previous attempts to ban the group were rejected by the Prosecutor General.

Venstre and the Moderates are advocating for a legal review to determine if a ban is feasible. Louise Elholm (V), acting political spokesperson, stated the organization “actively tries to counteract our democratic values”. Rosa Eriksen, from the Moderates, added that “it serves no good purpose to have such an organization in Denmark”.

The renewed focus on Hizb ut-Tahrir follows reports that a member, Sebastian Østerfelt, also known as Aqeel Abu Osama, is employed as a power engineer at Energinet. He gained attention for a social media video criticizing student graduation parades as “haram,” meaning forbidden under Islamic law.

While Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard (M) acknowledged Østerfelt’s employment, he stated that Energinet employees, like all citizens, have the right to diverse political and religious beliefs within legal boundaries.

Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard (S) has expressed his opinion that Hizb ut-Tahrir does not belong in Denmark. He stated that active efforts should be made to dissolve the association if authorities find sufficient grounds.

The Prosecutor General has previously rejected banning Hizb ut-Tahrir in 2004, 2008, and most recently in 2015, citing constitutional concerns. In 2015, then Minister of Justice Mette Frederiksen (S) indicated she would welcome the case if the Prosecutor General believed a ban was possible.

Hizb ut-Tahrir, which advocates for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate, is illegal in several European countries, but not in Denmark. Several members have been convicted in Denmark for condoning terrorism, with the most recent conviction occurring in November 2024.