Owen Ray and Friend Detained in Denmark Over Uber Dispute, Passports Seized Until April 24 Hearing

Two U.S. college students, Owen Ray from Miami University in Ohio and an unnamed friend, were detained in Denmark following an alleged altercation with an Uber driver during their spring break trip. The incident occurred after the students mistakenly entered the wrong destination address in the Uber app, leading to a dispute when the driver refused to take them to a different location. The driver's dashcam video captured the event, showing the driver accusing the students of not paying, despite receipts confirming payment. The students were arrested at Copenhagen Airport the next day as they attempted to return to the United States, charged with common assault. They were initially sentenced to 10 days of pre-trial detention, which was extended until April 24. Danish authorities deemed them a flight risk, leading to their detention in a Danish prison for nearly two weeks before being released. However, their passports were confiscated by Danish authorities, preventing them from leaving the country. Owen Ray and his friend are required to check in with police daily until their next court hearing scheduled for April 24. The family of Ray maintains his innocence, stating that he and his friend were victims of an unprovoked assault by the Uber driver, who allegedly threatened to call 10 guys and physically assaulted Ray. Ray's mother, Sara Buchen-Ray, has been in Denmark supporting her son, who was confined to a cell for 23 hours a day. The U.S. State Department is providing consular assistance to the detained students.