Defendant appears in Copenhagen court over fatal World Cup screening assault

On Wednesday the 31-year-old accused will be brought before Copenhagen City Court after a Swedish fan died from a ruptured artery sustained during a World Cup screening at Islands Brygge on June 30. The victim was punched and later died on July 3. The defendant faces a charge of assault under a section of the Danish penal code covering less serious violence, but prosecutors are asking for an increased sentence due to earlier convictions for rape, attempted murder and a separate assault case.

Special prosecutor Maria Cingari indicated a possible term of eight to ten months in prison. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen have both called for a harsher, fair judgment. The government plans to tighten penalties for fatal assaults by repeat offenders, and prosecutors also seek to bar the defendant from nightlife establishments. Two other individuals face separate assault charges linked to the same event.