Three Danish men appeared in court Thursday charged with murdering a 52-year-old man and burning his body. The Næstved Court hearing revealed shocking details about the case.
The defendants, aged 45, 48, and 58, all denied guilt during their constitutional hearing. They declined to make statements about the allegations.
Prosecutors say the crime occurred between September 18 and September 19. The victim was shot in the chest during this period.
According to charges, the suspects then transported the body in a van to a forest near Rønnede in southern Zealand. They set the body on fire in the wooded area near Hestehavevej road.
A passerby discovered the burned remains on September 20. Police initially struggled to identify the victim but confirmed three days later he was a 52-year-old from the Copenhagen area.
Wednesday's police operation led to nine arrests total. Authorities only found sufficient evidence to charge these three men with murder.
The courtroom proceedings occurred behind closed doors. Prosecutors requested this because the investigation remains in early stages and other suspects may be at large.
Closed hearings prevent the public from learning about evidence or defendant statements. The court also imposed a name publication ban protecting the men's identities.
Prosecutor Skipper Pelle Falsled seeks custody for all three defendants. If murder charges lack sufficient basis, he will pursue detention for accessory to murder.
The case represents one of southern Zealand's most brutal crimes in recent memory. Burning a body suggests clear intent to destroy evidence and complicate identification.