Photo: Charles O'Rear / Corbis Documentary / Getty Images
Two American college students, Owen Ray and his unnamed friend, were detained in Denmark following an alleged altercation with an Uber driver during their spring break trip. The incident occurred on March 31 in Copenhagen, where Ray, a 19-year-old from Miami University in Ohio, and his friend, a student from Indiana University, were accused of assaulting the driver.
Ray and his friend realized they had entered the wrong address in the Uber app. When they attempted to cancel the ride, the driver refused to take them elsewhere. After leaving the vehicle, the driver allegedly confronted them, claiming he had not been paid. Ray recounted that the driver threatened them and initiated an altercation, during which Ray said he was kicked in the groin. In response, Ray pushed the driver away.
The students were detained at Copenhagen Airport on April 1 as they attempted to return to the United States. Danish police considered them flight risks and initially held them for 10 days, extending their detention until April 24. Despite their release, they remain in Denmark without their passports, which have been confiscated by authorities.
Ray's family, represented by attorney Jordan Finfer, maintains that the students are innocent and were victims of an unprovoked attack. They are urging Danish officials to drop the charges and allow the students to return home. The U.S. State Department is providing consular assistance, and Illinois Senator Dick Durbin's office is in contact with the family.
Ray expressed hope that the case will be resolved soon, allowing them to return to the United States. He and his friend are required to check in with Danish police daily while awaiting further developments in their case.