Danish government parties are pushing for a renewed investigation into the possibility of banning the Islamic organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, despite previous attempts being rejected by the Prosecutor General. Venstre and the Moderates are calling for the investigation.

The renewed focus comes after reports that a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir, Sebastian Østerfelt, also known as Aqeel Abu Osama, is employed as a power engineer at Energinet. He gained attention after a video criticizing graduation parades as “haram” went viral.

Louise Elholm (V), acting political spokesperson for Venstre, stated that the organization “actively tries to counteract our democratic values.” Rosa Eriksen, acting political spokesperson for the Moderates, added that “it serves no good purpose to have such an organization in Denmark.”

Despite the controversy surrounding Østerfelt’s employment, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard (M) defended his right to hold different political and religious beliefs within the bounds of the law.

Hizb ut-Tahrir, which advocates for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate, is illegal in several European countries but remains legal in Denmark. Several members have been convicted in Denmark for condoning terrorism, with the most recent conviction occurring in November 2024.

Political attempts to ban the organization were previously made in 2004, 2008, and 2015, but the Prosecutor General determined each time that a ban would violate the Constitution. In 2015, then-Minister of Justice Mette Frederiksen stated that she would welcome the Prosecutor General bringing the case if an opportunity for a ban arose.

The Social Democrats, the third government party, also support dissolving Hizb ut-Tahrir if it is legally possible, according to acting political spokesperson Lea Wermelin.