Today’s news / Denmark to refresh intelligence oversight board
District Judge Michael Kistrup was the chairman of the Mink Commission, but will now be replaced as chairman. Photo: Philip Davali/Ritzau Scanpix

Denmark to refresh intelligence oversight board

Denmark’s Parliament is set to replace all members of the Intelligence Services Oversight Board after a political agreement. The overhaul was prompted by a 2020 scandal involving a press release from the Board criticizing the Defense Intelligence Service. The current chair, Judge Michael Kistrup, and other members will be replaced by experts with foreign, security, and intelligence experience. A four-year cooling-off period is also being introduced. The 2023 agreement between the government and the SF party strengthens oversight and promises a limited inquiry into the Ahmed Samsam case. Additionally, oversight will encompass operational tasks, and the Parliamentary Control Committee will include more party representation, with confidentiality maintained. Meanwhile, PET’s whistleblower scheme will be managed by the oversight board, with a forthcoming expansion to cover the Defense Intelligence Service, in compliance with European human rights rulings.