After burning the Koran
Denmark tightens border controls
08/04/2023 12:08 p.m
The burning of the Koran in Scandinavia has recently sparked angry protests in predominantly Muslim countries. Due to security concerns, Denmark now wants to control the border more closely – initially until August 10th.
With a view to the recent burning of the Koran and its consequences for the security situation, Denmark is also tightening its border controls after Sweden. As announced by the Danish Ministry of Justice, the state police consider it necessary to step up operations at the Danish borders until August 10th. This means, among other things, that travelers from Sweden could experience random border controls in the coming period, the ministry said.
The police in the south of the Jutland region confirmed to Danish radio that the random controls will also be tightened at the German-Danish border. The police districts of South Zealand and Lolland-Falster also announced that people entering the ferry port of Rødbyhavn and Gedser will be checked more closely. Entry may therefore take five to ten minutes longer. Ferries from Puttgarden on Fehmarn and Rostock arrive in the ports.
Recent burnings of the Koran are changing the picture of danger
According to the ministry, the basis for the tightened border controls are recommendations from the domestic intelligence service PET. The recent burning of the Koran would have changed the current picture of danger. It is therefore currently necessary to focus more closely on who is entering Denmark.
The burning of the Koran in Sweden and Denmark had recently triggered violent protests in predominantly Muslim countries and caused diplomatic trouble in the two Scandinavian countries. The actions are carried out by small groups who want to provoke Muslims. In Denmark, as in Sweden, criticism of religions is covered by freedom of expression. In both countries, however, the governments are currently examining the extent to which such actions can be legally prohibited in certain cases.