The Danish courts are now expected to decide on the limits of the preventive detentions used by the police over the weekend. Some 1,300 people were detained over the weekend in preventive detentions connected to COP15 demonstrations.

The overwhelming majority of those detained have been released again, but a large number of those detained say they are prepared to take their treatment to court.

“I hope that this will show that the police used unreasonable methods during a peaceful demonstration,” says Rasmus Bro Clemmensen, 19, from Aalborg who was one of those detained.

Justice Minister Brian Mikkelsen (Cons) says he looks forward to the court cases: “It shows the strength of our system that people can go through the courts.”

Deputy National Commissioner Johan Reimann, who is responsible for police operations, accepts that people should use their rights.

“People should of course use their right if they feel they have been un justly treated,” Reimann says.

It is unlikely that a court case can be heard prior to the end of the current COP15 Climate Summit on Friday, but Criminal Law Professor Jørn Vestergaard says he welcomes the move.

“If that now happens, we may see some clarity for the next time, on what is necessary before the extensive provisions in the law are used,” Vestergaard says.