Teenage Danish-Palestinian poet assaulted
Best-selling poet criticized Danish Muslim community, now conducts readings with police protection
A young Danish poet of Palestinian descent has been assaulted and his suspected attacker has been arrested, Danish police said Tuesday.
Spokesman Ove Bundgaard Larsen said Yahya Hassan, 18, suffered a head injury when he was attacked from behind at Copenhagen's central train station Monday evening.
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Hassan received five to eight punches in the face and body, said Bundgaard Larsen. The suspected attacker, aged 24, was known by police and now faces minor assault charges, the spokesman added.
In his poetry, Hassan has criticized what he claims is a culture of hypocrisy underpinning Denmark's Muslim population. He has pointed to his Palestinian immigrant parents and their generation as the reason why he quit school and committed petty crimes.
He has also lashed out at Muslims for committing fraud with social benefits, beating their children and failing to integrate in Danish society while clinging to the Koran.
His book of poetry – Yahya Hassan – has sold more than 17,000 copies since its publication on October 17. Most poetry books in Denmark sell fewer than 500 copies, according to the industry.
The publication has triggered numerous death threats against Hassan, who has police protection during public readings.
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