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Two American college students have been detained in Copenhagen following an altercation with an Uber driver, as reported by Danish authorities. The two young men, who were in Denmark for spring break, faced assault charges after an incident that necessitated their detention in a local prison for two weeks.
One of the students, Owen Ray, age 19 and a student at Miami University in Ohio, along with an unnamed companion, is currently unable to leave Denmark after their passports were confiscated.
The incident occurred in March when Ray and his friend mistakenly entered the wrong destination in the Uber app. Reports suggest that the situation escalated when the driver refused to accommodate their request to head to a different location. According to Ray’s family and their legal representative, tensions flared, leading to the students exiting the vehicle, at which point it is alleged that the driver threatened them and physically assaulted Ray.
Erin Pelton, a public relations manager for Ray’s family, indicated that the entire confrontation was recorded by the Uber driver’s dashboard camera and has become a crucial piece of evidence in the ongoing legal processes in Denmark. Following the incident, both students were intercepted at Copenhagen airport the following day while attempting to return to the United States.
Danish police have confirmed the charges, stating two American citizens were arrested on March 31 and subsequently brought to court where they faced common assault charges. The court ordered a pre-trial detention of 10 days, which has since been extended until April 24.
Although Ray has reportedly been released from prison, he is still barred from leaving Denmark, according to his family. The status of his fellow student is still uncertain. In a statement, Ray’s parents expressed relief at his release but voiced strong concerns about the retention of his passport, which they consider atypical in Danish legal proceedings.
“We maintain that Owen is a victim in this unfortunate situation and urge the Danish authorities to permit his return home to the United States promptly,” they stated.
The U.S. State Department has acknowledged their awareness of the case and is extending consular support to the involved citizens. A representative confirmed that the safety of American nationals abroad is their utmost priority.
In response to the situation, Uber has stated that they treat reports of violence seriously and directed any inquiries regarding the investigation to the Danish police.
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic tension between Denmark and the United States, particularly regarding previous discussions about the U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland, a Danish territory known for its natural resources.
Source
www.theguardian.com