Denmark’s prime minister slams asylum status for ‘Lucky’ the pirate

The Gulf of Guinea, which extends for 5,700km from Senegal to Angola, was once plagued by piracy but is now much safer thanks to joint efforts from European navies and local forces. (AFP)

• Four men on a skiff were killed in an exchange of fire with Danish naval forces in the Gulf Guinea, a fifth went overboard, and three were arrested before being released at sea
• ‘Lucky’ wasn’t released because his leg had to be amputated on the spot after he was hit and he was later transferred to Denmark for further treatment

COPENHAGEN: Denmark’s prime minister expressed her indignation Tuesday after a Nigerian who has been found guilty of engaging in an exchange of fire with Danish sailors was granted asylum in the Nordic country.
The affair, which dates to 2021, has been a long-running source of embarrassment for the Danish government.
“I cannot defend this decision,” said Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, whose administration has taken a hard line against migration and asylum requests.
In November 2021, alleged pirates in the Gulf of Guinea opened fire on Danish naval forces on an anti-piracy patrol.
Four men on a skiff were killed in the exchange, a fifth went overboard, and three were arrested before being released at sea.
But another man, who presented himself as being from Nigeria and going by the name “Lucky,” wasn’t released because his leg had to be amputated on the spot after he was hit.
He was later transferred to Denmark for further treatment.
“He doesn’t belong here. If he’s here, it’s solely because of international obligations,” Frederiksen said during a press conference.
Once in Denmark, “Lucky” was found guilty of putting the lives of Danish soldiers in danger, but wasn’t sentenced to prison.
He applied for asylum while in a center waiting to be sent back to Nigeria.
His lawyer didn’t respond to requests for comment on how he was granted asylum.
The Gulf of Guinea, which extends for 5,700 kilometers (3,350 miles) from Senegal to Angola, was once plagued by piracy but is now much safer thanks to joint efforts from European navies and local forces.