Denmark’s prime minister expressed outrage on Tuesday after a Nigerian man convicted of engaging in a shootout with Danish sailors was granted asylum in the Nordic country.
The case dates back to 2021 and has been a long-term source of embarrassment for the Danish government.
The government has taken a hard line on immigration and asylum claims, but Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said: “I cannot defend this decision.”
In November 2021, pirates aboard a small boat opened fire on a Danish naval helicopter on anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Guinea.
Four people on the boat died in the exchange, five fell into the sea, and three were arrested before being released at sea.
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However, another man from Nigeria, who goes by the name “Lucky”, was not released because his leg had to be amputated on the spot after being beaten.
He was then transferred to Denmark for further treatment.
“He does not belong here. If he is here, it is only because of his international obligations,” Frederiksen told a news conference.
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Upon arriving in Denmark, “Lucky” was found guilty of endangering the lives of Danish soldiers, but was not sentenced to prison.
He applied for asylum while awaiting deportation to Nigeria at the center.
His lawyer did not respond to a request for comment on how he was granted asylum.
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The Gulf of Guinea, which stretches 5,700 kilometers (3,350 miles) from Senegal to Angola, was once plagued by piracy but is now safe thanks to the joint efforts of European navies and local militaries.
CBW/NZG/GV/Rocks