The Danish Police has announced that, earlier this week, they carried out a raid on the house of a Muslim man living in Copenhagen after his wife reported she feared that the man was planning an attack on the Danish or Swedish monarch.
Danish Police arrested the 33-year-old man who will remain in custody for ten days so that they can investigate the case. During questioning, the man has confirmed he is a resident of Denmark working in Sweden, and he is a practising Muslim.
Danish media reports that the man has made several online messages that are described as threatening and worrying. These include a post which discussed beheading Queen Margrethe II and the whole Danish Royal Family. He also made threats against Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, as well as Danish politician Rasmus Paludan, who is the leader of an anti-immigrant party.
The news of this arrest comes only a month after the work to terror-secure the Danish royal residence of Amalienborg Palace started. The Royal Palace grounds in Copenhagen will soon be closed to all car traffic as part of moves to reduce the threat of a terror attack. There will be a total of 52 steel barriers set up to block the four entrances to the Palace Square on the basis of a safety recommendation from Danish police. An additional 13 steel gates will prevent cars from passing through the area around the palace.
The Danish Royal Court and Culture Board state that the purpose of the ban is to increase security when larger crowds gather at the site. There are major events in the Royal House, such as the Queen’s birthday, but also on weekdays, large crowds gather at the square. After trucks and other vehicles were used in attacks overseas, the Danish Royal Court has decided to close the square for all normal car traffic.
