Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated Wednesday she doesn't suppose the latest arrest of Lars Findsen for probably exposing state secrets and techniques will negatively have an effect on Denmark's international partnerships.

Findsen, who headed each of the nation's intelligence businesses at completely different occasions, was arrested on December 8 underneath accusations of "disclosing extremely categorized data from the intelligence companies," a Danish courtroom stated.

Some have expressed concern over how the intelligence businesses' international contacts will react to this information.

Frederiksen stated that whereas it was "a really critical case" and a scenario that "we completely would have most well-liked to be with out," she was "additionally very positive that the cooperation that we're very depending on with our allies…nonetheless can develop."

Findsen was head of the Politiets Efterretningstjeneste (PET), or the Danish Safety and Intelligence Service, from 2002 to 2007. He then led the Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste (FE), or the Danish Protection Intelligence Service, from 2015 to 2020, when he was suspended.

The FE suspended Findsen after an impartial watchdog accused the company of holding again data and breaking Danish legal guidelines.

It's at the moment unclear whether or not Findsen's suspension from the FE had something to do along with his present detainment. Most particulars about his case are being stored secret. Newsweek beforehand reported that his protection lawyer, Lars Kjeldsen, was additionally not permitted to talk because of the case's sensitivity.

The previous intelligence officer had beforehand been thought of too open with the media, so some speculate this might have one thing to do along with his arrest.

At a Monday closed-door custody assembly in Copenhagen, Kjeldsen criticized the truth that Findsen's preliminary cost was not identified and known as for it to be defined. The preliminary cost would reveal why he's at the moment being detained, as it's the cost that holds the suspect as an investigation is ongoing.

"We don't perceive the background for this secrecy," Kjeldsen stated Monday, including "that is fully insane."

He additionally advised reporters on the courtroom that Findsen will plead not responsible.

Although three others had been additionally arrested together with Findsen, they haven't been recognized and have since been launched, whereas Findsen remains to be detained whereas awaiting trial.

Mette Frederiksen, Denmark
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated she doesn't suppose a former intelligence official's arrest for presumably disclosing categorized data will negatively have an effect on the nation's international partnerships. Above, Frederiksen speaks throughout a press convention on the Prime Minister's Workplace in Copenhagen on December 17, 2021.Photograph by Olafur Steinar Gestsson/Ritzau Scanpix/ AFP by way of Getty Photographs

Particulars about Findsen's detention are shrouded in secrecy and due to the sensitivity of the case his protection lawyer can not speak. It isn't identified whether or not his arrest is linked to his earlier suspension.

A custody listening to was held Monday behind closed doorways in Copenhagen and prolonged Findsen's detention till February 4.

The Related Press contributed to this report.