20 people were arrested in a major anti-terror operation at several locations in the country, with a number of the arrested individuals suspected of terrorism offences.

Eight of the arrested individuals appeared for preliminary court proceedings on Thursday.

Some of the arrested individuals had “acquired components for making explosives or attempted to acquire firearms”, Copenhagen Police chief inspector Jørgen Bergen Skov said at a press briefing on Wednesday evening.

The eight individuals – two women and six men – will be charged under the most serious terror provisions in Denmark’s criminal code, for which the maximum punishment is lifetime imprisonment. The remaining 12 were expected to be released.

Denmark’s criminal law clause 114, part one – known as the ‘terror paragraph’ – states the following:

• Actions such as murder, attempted murder, violence, arson and kidnapping will be viewed as terrorism if their intention is to seriously frighten the public.
• Punishment can also be given under the terrorism clause for “illegally forcing Danish or foreign public authorities to carry out or fail to carry out an act, or destabilizing or destroying a country’s or international organization’s fundamental, political, constitutional, economic or societal structures”.
• The maximum punishment is lifetime imprisonment.
• Additionally, paragraph 114b provides for terror charges against a person who directly or indirectly gives financial support to a person, group or associates who commit or intend to commit acts encompassed by the terror paragraph.
• Up to ten years in prison can be given for conviction under clause 114b.

Source: Straffeloven

READ ALSO:

• 'Extraordinarily good police work': PM reacts to Danish anti-terror operation
• Danish police carry out major operation over 'terror attack plot'