Title: US Students Detained for Two Weeks in Denmark After Altercation with Uber Driver

By Lisa Klaassen, CNN

Copenhagen, Denmark — Two American college students are facing legal challenges in Denmark following their arrest for an alleged altercation with an Uber driver that resulted in their detention for nearly two weeks. The students, Owen Ray and an unnamed friend, were arrested on March 31 after a dispute during a ride-hailing incident in Copenhagen.

According to local police, Ray and his friend attempted to return to their hotel after a night out when they canceled their Uber ride after realizing they had selected the wrong destination. Family spokesperson Erin Pelton clarified that the ride was canceled after they were unable to change the address in the Uber app. However, tensions escalated when the driver mistakenly believed he had not been compensated for the canceled ride.

"The driver got out of the car and started yelling that he hadn't been paid, threatening to 'call 10 guys,'" Ray recounted in an interview with ABC's Good Morning America, emphasizing that they did not provoke the encounter. The incident was recorded by the driver’s dash cam, which is now part of the court evidence.

Upon attempting to board their flight home on March 31, both students were detained by authorities. They faced charges of common assault and were held in pre-trial detention for ten days in a Danish prison. Ray described their confinement conditions, noting, "There were two of us in a pretty small jail cell, in bunk beds. We spent 23 hours a day in the cell."

The students were released from custody on Monday but remain charged and are prohibited from leaving Denmark until their next court appearance on April 24, when they must report daily to local police. Their passports have been seized, complicating their situation as they await their trial.

Ray, a student at Miami University in Ohio from Chicago, expressed hope for a resolution soon. "I'm just going to try and have a positive attitude and hope that they can resolve the case," he stated. His parents, Andy Ray and Sara Buchen-Ray, are vocal about their concern over the handling of the case, asserting that their son and his friend were unjustly treated and label the incident as unprovoked.

Sara Buchen-Ray described the shocking moment she received a text from her son on March 31 that stated, "Mom, I’m in prison in Copenhagen." In their official statement, Owen's parents expressed dissatisfaction with the legal process, stating, "We remain deeply concerned that Danish authorities have confiscated his passport and will not allow him to return to the United States." They underscored their belief that Owen is a victim in this situation, urging for an expeditious return for their son.

The students' attorney, Eigil Strand, characterized the incident as a misunderstanding. He noted that both young men were in Copenhagen for leisure purposes and were taken aback by their arrest as they were preparing to leave for home. Strand suggested that the situation escalated due to a communication issue regarding the canceled ride.

Uber also issued a statement, indicating they are cooperating with Danish authorities in the investigation. The company reiterated its commitment to safety, acknowledging the driver’s account that claimed the students initiated a physical confrontation.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department confirmed that its embassy staff in Copenhagen are aiding the students as they navigate this legal predicament. A spokesperson reassured, "The Department has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad."

The case has drawn attention as it highlights the complexities of international legal proceedings and the experiences of Americans traveling abroad. As the situation develops, both students await their court hearing with the hope of resolving this incident favorably.