Danish society news confronts another serious crime case as a foreign-trained doctor receives a prison sentence and deportation. A Pakistani doctor has been sentenced to five years in prison and permanent expulsion from Denmark for three attempted rapes near Glostrup Station. The 31-year-old, Assad Ullah, targeted random women on three consecutive Sundays in April 2025, grabbing them from behind in dark, isolated areas. The Glostrup Court handed down the verdict on Tuesday, which the defendant has immediately appealed, meaning he remains in custody.
A Pattern of Violence Unfolds
Assad Ullah arrived in Denmark last year with the intention of working as a doctor, having qualified in Pakistan. Within a month, his violent spree began. The first attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, April 6, 2025. The woman managed to break free. He repeated the same crime the following Sunday, and again on the third. Police identified a pattern and stationed officers near the train station on the potential fourth Sunday. There, they observed a possible perpetrator getting off a train and arrested Ullah.
The Court's Rejection of His Defense
During the trial, Ullah admitted encountering the women but denied any intent to rape. He claimed he was seeking friendship and wanted to get their phone numbers. The court did not find his explanation credible. The premises of the judgment stated the defendant, wearing a hood pulled over his face, followed the three women and assaulted them by grabbing them from behind. The women were walking alone at night where it was dark and no other people were around. Based on this, the court found him guilty of three counts of attempted rape.
Immediate Appeal and Awaiting Final Verdict
The sentence includes both a five-year prison term and an order for his permanent expulsion from Denmark. He can never legally return to the country. However, the case is not yet final. Ullah appealed the verdict to the high court immediately after it was announced. He will therefore remain in pre-trial detention while the appeal process runs its course. This legal step prolongs the final resolution for the victims and the community.
Broader Context for Copenhagen Integration
This case touches on sensitive areas within Danish immigration policy and societal safety. The perpetrator was a recently arrived foreign professional, a detail that often fuels public debate about the integration process and background checks. Denmark's strict policies on expelling foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes are directly applied here. The case also highlights ongoing concerns about public safety, particularly for women in urban areas at night, a topic frequently discussed in local social policy forums.
The Human Impact Beyond the Courtroom
While the legal proceedings focus on the perpetrator's guilt and punishment, the human cost lies with the three random victims. They were going about their lives when they were violently assaulted. Such attacks create lasting trauma and fear, impacting individuals' sense of security in their own neighborhoods. The swift police work that led to an arrest before a fourth potential attack is a small consolation in a story defined by violation.
What the Sentence Signals
The five-year sentence for attempted rape aligns with Danish legal standards for such serious, premeditated crimes. The mandatory deportation order is a standard consequence for non-citizens convicted of serious offenses under Danish immigration policy. This dual punishment sends a clear message about the consequences for violent crime, irrespective of the perpetrator's background or profession. It also demonstrates the operational reality of Denmark's stringent migration laws, which are frequently debated in political circles.
A Community Seeks Reassurance
For residents in Glostrup and surrounding areas in Copenhagen, such incidents shake communal trust. Local social centers and municipal authorities often face calls for improved lighting, increased patrols, and community safety programs after high-profile crimes. The case underscores the perpetual balance between open, free societies and the measures needed to protect vulnerable citizens. It leaves a community awaiting a final legal answer and grappling with the unsettling randomness of the crimes committed against their neighbors.
Will the high court uphold the verdict, and how will this case influence the ongoing complex dialogue around integration, safety, and justice in Denmark?