30-year-old man from Viborg charged with death threats against politician Sikandar Siddique
A 30-year-old plumbing-trained man from Viborg has been charged with sending death threats against Sikandar Siddique, leader of the Free Greens, via Messenger. The case will be heard in Viborg District Court.
Death threats via Messenger prompt charges against Viborg man
A 30-year-old man from Viborg has been charged with threats against Sikandar Siddique, leader of the Free Greens and member of Copenhagen's City Council. This emerges from a court hearing request reviewed by Ekstra Bladet.
The prosecution office of Central and West Jutland Police has brought the charges, and the man must now appear in Viborg District Court. According to the charges, he sent two messages to Siddique via Messenger on Sunday, 25 January at 22:45:
'I hope you and your family burn to death, maybe I'll make sure of it myself, who knows.'
'Enjoy your moments carefully, one day you'll suddenly be gone.'
The man is plumbing-trained and is charged with breaching section 119 of the Danish Penal Code, which concerns threats against persons in public service or office. The penalty can be up to eight years' imprisonment. Since the court hearing request indicates this is a case of admission, it is expected to proceed quickly through the courts. Comparable cases have previously resulted in unconditional prison sentences.
Ekstra Bladet has attempted to contact the 30-year-old, but he has not responded.
Siddique: – This is serious and completely unacceptable
It was Sikandar Siddique himself who filed the police report. In comments to Ekstra Bladet, he explained what prompted him to act:
– When threats are directed at my family and my home, we are no longer talking about harsh rhetoric or political disagreement. This is serious and completely unacceptable, he says.
Siddique emphasises that he receives significantly more hatred and more threats than most politicians, and that historically he has chosen to report very little of it to the police.
– But threats against my life and particularly threats against my family, those I report to the police, he says.
He expresses satisfaction that the prosecution has decided to pursue the case, but is cautious about its effect:
– I certainly hope it can make a difference. But I receive a lot of hatred and a lot of threats and have done so throughout my political life. Probably more than the average politician, too.
Siddique concludes with a broader concern about the democratic discourse:
– When people start making threats, democratic dialogue stops. It dies. And that frustrates me.
One of several cases involving threats against politicians
The case against the 30-year-old is far from unique. On 10 August, a 70-year-old man was sentenced to 60 days' unconditional imprisonment by Kolding District Court for writing in a Facebook comment thread that he would contribute 500 kroner to anyone who would 'take out a minister'.
Special prosecutor Søs Bøcher stated in that case:
– It is important in a democratic society that elected representatives have the right to express their political views in public debate without being subjected to threats.
In March, a 45-year-old man was likewise sentenced to four months' imprisonment by Kolding District Court for threats against a local politician on Facebook.
Sikandar Siddique previously served in the Folketing and now represents the Free Greens in the City Council.
Source: Ekstra Bladet