(NewsNation) — Two American college students who were in Danish custody after an alleged altercation with an Uber driver have been released, authorities confirmed to NewsNation on Monday.
Owen Ray and a friend, who has requested not to be named publicly, aren’t allowed to leave Denmark and must report daily until their court hearing.
Authorities confiscated Ray’s passport, his family said in a statement.
“We are relieved that Owen has been released from a Danish prison following the unprovoked assault he and his friend suffered at the hands of an Uber driver on March 31,” the statement reads. “However, we remain deeply concerned that Danish authorities have confiscated his passport and will not allow him to return to the United States — something we understand is unusual in Danish court proceedings. The facts make clear that Owen is the victim in this case, and we urge Danish officials to allow him to return home to the United States without delay.”
The Chicago-area pair were in Danish custody for more than two weeks after an alleged altercation with their Uber driver, Copenhagen police confirmed Monday.
Authorities previously said the students had been charged with common assault and were expected to stay in detention until April 24. However, a family lawyer told NewsNation on Monday that the students have not yet been charged.
The pair ordered an Uber during their spring break trip to Copenhagen, Denmark. After realizing they had entered the wrong address, the pair reportedly asked their driver to change their destination, but the driver allegedly refused. Eventually, they all got out of the car.
Uber driver allegedly threatened teens
Owen Ray’s mother, Sara Buchen-Ray, told NewsNation this was when the altercation occurred.
“He threatened he was going to call 10 guys in and take care of them. At that point, my son yelled again, ‘We’ve done nothing wrong, please call the police,’” Buchen-Ray said.
“And he kicked Owen in between the legs. Owen went down. The other child knocked him down, and they ran away. They were scared,” she added.
The Uber driver claims Ray and his friend didn’t pay.
US teens labeled as flight risk
Danish authorities arrested the pair at the airport on April 1 as they prepared to fly home, labeling them a flight risk.
NewsNation national security contributor Tracy Walder said Danish news outlets had reported the Uber driver was hospitalized.
“He is alleging pretty severe assault that the boys inflicted on him. Now, I don’t know, obviously, if that’s true, and I don’t know what precipitated all of it, but my guess is that’s why they are being held for as long as they are,” Walder said.
She added that when faced with a questionable situation abroad, people should always record themselves.
“Start the record button on your cell phone so you’re just not relying on the cab driver’s version of events,” Walder said.
Teen’s mother says no one has reached out to family from State Department
Buchen-Ray said the incident is merely a misunderstanding and that her son’s time behind bars is baffling family members and legal scholars alike.
The State Department is reportedly involved; however, Buchen-Ray said no one has reached out to the family.
Complicating matters further is Denmark’s five-day Easter court holiday, which could delay a potential trial even longer. Unlike in the United States, suspects of minor crimes in Denmark can be jailed for four weeks at a time, for up to six months, without being charged.