Danish police probe claims of violence towards journalists

The Copenhagen police are investigating claims by two press photographers who say they were assaulted by officers while following anti-immigration protests at the weekend.

A photographer for the Ekstra Bladet tabloid alleged the police hit him with a truncheon as he was covering a protest in the Danish capital calling for "remigration", or the deportation of immigrants to their country of origin, along with a counter-demonstration.

A fellow photojournalist for the Politiken newspaper also accused the police of smacking him with a baton. His camera was destroyed and he had to be taken to the hospital.

"The media have reported on two specific incidents in which members of the press were struck by the police," the police said in a statement.

"In light of the criticism that was subsequently expressed, we have asked the Independent Police Oversight Authority (DUP) to investigate these cases."

In a column on Sunday, Politiken's editor-in-chief wrote: "This newspaper understands that the police's task is often difficult when demonstrations spiral into violence and street clashes.

"But it is all the more incomprehensible that the police should make the press their adversary by preventing us from doing our job, which also consists in bearing witness to the police's use of force."

The Copenhagen police promised it "will always work to ensure the best possible conditions for the functioning of democracy".

"This applies to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression and... to the conditions under which the press carries out its work," it said.