COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark unveiled a legal reform on Friday allowing foreigners who have been sentenced to at least one year of unconditional imprisonment for serious crimes to be deported.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the measure would affect any foreign national convicted of serious offences, such as aggravated assault and rape, though she acknowledged the idea — part of a series of legal changes — could conflict with European human rights conventions.
Denmark will also tighten controls on foreigners without legal residence, introduce a new anklet monitor for criminal foreigners, reopen an embassy in Syria, and strengthen cooperation with authorities in Afghanistan.
Frederiksen told a news conference that the government was acting “unconventionally” and was amending legislation rather than waiting for court rulings on deportation cases.
Immigration and Integration Minister Rasmus Stoklund said 315 foreign criminals from countries outside the European Union had received sentences of more than a year over the last five years but were not expelled.
“Many of us find that hard to understand,” he told the news conference.
The announcement comes as the EU — which counts Denmark as a member — has been grappling with integration of foreign nationals and migrants and stiffening its legal arsenal.
Last month, the 27-member country bloc began finalizing an overhaul of its migration system, including tougher restrictions on accepting asylum claims.
Many hard right-wing groups and political parties in Europe, and beyond in the Western world, have expressed growing anger over what they see as an undesired surge of immigration in recent years.
Denmark's Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Loekke Rasmussen, right, and Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen present the government's new deportation reform at a press conference in Copenhagen, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen looks on as she presents the government's new deportation reform at a press conference in Copenhagen, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
LONDON (AP) — Max Dowman, who became the youngest player to feature in the Champions League at the age of 15 this season, has signed a pre-contract agreement with Arsenal that will lead to him securing professional terms when he turns 17.
Arsenal announced the deal on Friday and manager Mikel Arteta appeared to draw comparisons with Lionel Messi when asked if he had seen a youngster with such talent and a strong mentality.
“What he’s done with us at the age of 15, me personally I haven’t seen it before,” Arteta said. "Only with a guy that used to play in Barcelona, but not even that.
“He (Dowman) has a certain charisma as well and personality as well. He doesn’t get overwhelmed, whether it’s by the situation, the stadium or the opponent. That’s a huge quality to have.”
Arteta was at Barcelona when Messi was coming through the ranks, though the Argentina great didn't make his competitive debut for the Spanish team until he was 17.
Dowman was 15 years, 208 days when he came on as a substitute in Arsenal's 3-0 win at Slavia Prague in November. No 15-year-old had previously played in Europe’s top club competition.
In August, he became the second-youngest player — behind Arsenal teammate Ethan Nwaneri — to feature in the Premier League.
England internationals Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly are other players to have come through the Arsenal academy in recent years.
“I’ve been at the club my whole life, so this really means a lot," Dowman said. "There’s such a clear pathway here, players who have come through our academy, like Bukayo, Myles and Ethan, who all really inspire me.
"It’s amazing to have role models so close that have experienced the same thing that I have. I’m now so excited to continue to work hard with my development.”
Dowman, who still attends school, is a left-footed attacking midfielder who joined Arsenal at the age of 5 in May 2015 and made his debut for Arsenal’s under-18s at age 13. He was only 14 when he was asked by Arsenal Arteta to train with the senior team.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - Arsenal's Max Dowman warms up prior to the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Slavia Prague and Arsenal in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
