Two college students, both United States citizens, have been freed from a Danish jail nearly two weeks after their arrest while visiting Copenhagen during their spring break, according to police reports.
Owen Ray, a 19-year-old studying at Miami University of Ohio, and his unnamed friend were detained at Copenhagen Airport on April 1 following an alleged altercation with an Uber driver the previous night.
The incident was confirmed by Jordan Finfer, a U.S.-based attorney representing Ray’s family, in a statement given to ABC News.
Copenhagen police verified the students’ release on Monday but stated they remain in Denmark, as Danish authorities have confiscated their passports.
In a statement, Ray’s parents, Andy Ray and Sara Buchen-Ray, expressed their relief at their son’s release from a Danish prison, emphasizing that he was the victim of an unprovoked assault by the Uber driver on March 31.
“The facts make clear that Owen is the victim in this case, and we urge Danish officials to allow him to return home to the United States without delay,” they stated.
According to the account relayed to attorney Finfer, Ray and his friend found themselves in an Uber on March 31 and realized they were headed to the wrong address.
The driver allegedly refused to take them to a different location, resulting in a confrontation when all parties exited the vehicle.
Finfer recounted that Ray claimed the Uber driver kicked him in the groin, prompting him to push the driver away, leading to the driver falling.
After the altercation, Ray and his friend allegedly ran away from the scene.
However, the next day, as they attempted to return home from Copenhagen Airport, the two students were detained.
Local law enforcement determined they were “flight risks” and claimed they were planning to evade responsibility for the incident.
The students were charged with common assault following the incident, as confirmed by Copenhagen police.
Initially, they were sentenced to 10 days in pre-trial detention, which was later extended until April 24, according to a spokesperson from Copenhagen police.
In response to inquiries regarding the incident, an Uber spokesperson stated that the safety of all app users is a top priority and that they take reports of violence very seriously.
“Any additional questions about the investigation should be directed to the Danish police,” the Uber statement added.
The U.S. State Department acknowledged the situation in a statement issued on Sunday, confirming that two U.S. citizens had been detained in Denmark.
The statement mentioned that staff at the U.S. embassy in Copenhagen were providing consular assistance.
“The Department has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad,” the statement read.
Due to privacy concerns, the Department noted they could not offer further comments on the matter.
As the situation unfolds, the families of the students remain hopeful for a swift resolution that allows them to return home safely.
image source from：https://abcnews.go.com/US/2-us-students-detained-denmark-after-alleged-altercation/story?id=120772277
