Police in eastern Jutland have arrested six boys aged 13 to 16 following a coordinated operation connected to a violent assault in Viby earlier this autumn. The victims received threats that their tongues would be cut out if they reported the attack to authorities.
Three of the detained boys, who are above Denmark's criminal age of responsibility, appeared in constitutional hearings at Aarhus Court on Thursday evening. The court ordered them held in custody for four weeks at secure youth institutions due to the severity of the allegations.
Deputy Police Inspector Mads Flansmose expressed satisfaction with the investigation's progress. He said authorities have identified most members of the group believed responsible for the assault. The police operation represents the culmination of an extended investigation into an incident that occurred on September 30.
Two boys aged 13 and 14 became victims of the disturbing attack. The perpetrators threatened them with knives and forced them to accompany a 16-year-old acquaintance via light rail and bus to a forested area near Rosenhøj in Viby. A waiting group of boys then participated in the violent assault according to police reports.
The attackers beat and kicked the victims while using telescopic batons. They issued further threats of violence if the victims reported the incident to police. The assault qualifies as particularly brutal and concerning given the young ages of those involved.
The case began with the October 9 arrest of the main 16-year-old suspect, who remains in custody. Police have since worked to map the entire group responsible for the attack. The three youngest boys, aged 13 and 14, have been handed over to Aarhus Municipality since they fall below Denmark's criminal responsibility age of 15. Their cases will go before the Youth Crime Council for preventive measures.
Denmark's legal system treats juvenile offenders differently based on age thresholds. Those under 15 cannot face criminal prosecution but may receive social interventions. The country has seen increasing concern about youth gang violence in recent years, particularly in urban areas like Aarhus.
The 16-year-old main suspect denies all charges according to his defense attorney Henrik Hougaard. The two 15-year-olds deny three charges but partially admit to one count involving violence of a particularly crude, brutal, or dangerous character.
This case highlights ongoing challenges with youth violence in Danish cities. The extreme nature of the threats and the coordinated group action suggest concerning patterns of criminal behavior developing among teenagers. Local authorities will likely face increased pressure to address root causes of youth criminality in the region.