Two Kosovar Prison Officers Released Despite Assault Allegations at Vestre Prison
Two Kosovar prison officers accused of assault against an inmate at Vestre Prison remain free. On Friday, the Eastern High Court rejected prosecutors' request for remand detention.
Two Prison Officers Acquitted of Remand Detention Following Assault Allegations in Copenhagen
Two Kosovar prison officers accused of assaulting an inmate at Vestre Prison in Copenhagen remain free whilst police investigate the case. This is reported by The Copenhagen Post.
The Eastern High Court rejected prosecutors' request for remand detention of the two men on Friday. The ruling confirms a decision issued by Copenhagen City Court on Wednesday, which also found the grounds for detention insufficient.
Both courts concluded that there was no substantial reason to assume that the two officers would leave Denmark before a possible criminal trial.
The two men, aged 29 and 24 respectively, are undergoing training in Denmark ahead of service at Gjilan Prison in Kosovo, which Denmark leases to house Danish prisoners.
According to police prosecutors, the two officers assaulted an inmate in a cell at Vestre Prison on Monday at approximately 4 p.m. The inmate was allegedly pushed onto a bed and subsequently struck in the face and body.
Police arrested the officers on Tuesday morning, and prosecutors requested their remand detention the following day.
Both men deny using violence against the inmate.
During Wednesday's court hearing, the judge at Copenhagen City Court assessed that there was reasonable grounds to suspect the officers of the alleged assault. Nevertheless, the judge rejected remand detention on the grounds that both men are resident in Denmark and employed by the Danish Prison and Probation Service.
Prosecutors appealed the decision, but the Eastern High Court reached the same conclusion on Friday.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no decision has yet been made as to whether the two officers will be charged. Once police conclude the investigation, prosecutors will assess whether there is sufficient grounds to bring charges.
Source: The Copenhagen Post