Five months on from controversial law, Danish police finally seize valuables from asylum-seekers

Cash seized for the first time under controversial law that allows police to confiscate valuables

Danish police have confiscated valuables from some asylum-seekers – their first seizure since the passing of the controversial law allowing them to do so five months ago.

However, the circumstances were perhaps a little different from those envisaged by protesters against the law.

According to Rigspolitiet spokesman Per Fiig, two men and three women were carrying dollars and euros worth about 129,600 kroner when they were arrested late on Tuesday at Copenhagen Airport using forged passports.

“The Danish police pay daily attention to whether the asylum-seekers and foreigners have assets ​​that can help to finance the cost of their stay,” Fiig said. “We have now found valuables that could be seized for that purpose.

First enforcement
The law allows police to search asylum-seekers arriving in Denmark and confiscate any non-essential items worth more than 10,000 kroner that have no sentimental value to their owner. The asylum-seekers from Iran were allowed to keep 30,000 kroner and asked to hand over 79,600 Danish kroner.

Fiig confirmed this was the first time that the law had been enforced since it took effect in February. The members of the group immediately sought asylum.

READ MORE: Government faces fallout over plans to confiscate refugee jewellery

The law has been controversial in Denmark and attracted international criticism.

TOP STORIES

  • Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    In the internal Danish waters, Russia will be able to attack underwater infrastructure from all types of vessels. The target could be cables with data, electricity and gas, assesses the Danish Defense Intelligence Service

  • Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    A few weeks after Alex Vanopslagh’s comments about “right values,” the government announced that an expert committee would be established to examine the feasibility of screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic attitudes.

  • The Future Copenhagen

    The Future Copenhagen

    The municipality plan encompasses building 40,000 houses by 2036 in order to help drive real estate prices down. But this is not the only huge project that will change the shape of the city: Lynetteholmen, M5 metro line, the Eastern Ring Road, and Jernbanebyen will transform Copenhagen into something different from what we know today

  • It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    Many people in Denmark are facing hard times marked by sadness, anxiety, and apathy. It’s called winter depression, and it’s a widespread phenomenon during the cold months in Nordic countries.

  • Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime in Denmark is increasing for the second consecutive year, but it is more focused on property, while people appear to be safer than before. Over the past year, there were fewer incidents of violence

  • Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Despite Novo’s announcement that its growth abroad will be larger than in Denmark, the company announced this morning an 8.5 billion DKK investment for a new facility in Odense. This is the first time the company has established a new production site in Denmark this century.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs