[ Breaking news ]  [in Danish]

Police raid on Tvind

Jyllands-Posten, Denmark, 25 April 2001

Glossary of Danish terms:

Jyllands-Posten has learned that, that at 9AM on Wednesday, the "BAGMANDSPOLITIET" launched a nation-wide raid against the Tvind (group). 

In total, 50 police officers, tax agents and computer experts searched 8 different Tvind offices and schools for evidence that is to be used in a future trial against Tvind.

The main portion (of the raid) took place at Tvind headquarters in Grindsted, between (the cities of) Vejle and Esbjerg. The police will attempt to document tax fraud and "MANDATSVIG" [abuse of trust] relating to a particular trust fund. Since 1987 Tvind teachers have paid 15% of their salaries into a certain trust fund, known as the "Trust for the support of humanitarian purposes, the advancement of research and for the protection of the environment". At the same time, they have been
claiming a 15% deduction (on their tax forms). This is legal, if the funds from the trust have indeed gone to charitable causes. But the police believes that the money has gone to Tvind itself and to businesses
associated with Tvind.

According to a press release from the police chief in Holstebro, the Tvind Teachers' Group, consisting of 250-300 people has put approx. 70 million DKK into this trust in the period between 1987 and 1999. The "SKATTEVAERDIEN" [tax benefit]  that this has given to the contributors amounts to 25-30 million DKK, according to the police. In total, the trust has paid out approx. 75 million DKK between '87 and '99.

"SIGTELSE" laid against four individuals

According to the same press release, the police chief in Holstebro has laid "SIGTELSE" [preliminary charges] against four people until now, who either have formally had, or are believed to have had authority over the trust at different points in time.

The "SIGTELSE" [preliminary charges] include "MANDATSVIG" [abuse of trust]  against the trust and tax fraud in connection with the trust's special tax situation. It cannot be ruled out that "SIGTELSE" [preliminary charges] will be laid against more people in the group
surrounding the trust, the police chief writes in his press release.

Bank accounts may be confiscated

The police have obtained "RETSKENDELSE" [court orders] to confiscate funds from a number of mentioned bank accounts, and as part of the operation, the police has requested that number of chartered banks hand in any information (they may have) regarding the trust.

If the police are successful in documenting tax fraud and "MANDATSVIG" [abuse of trust] , the responsible Tvind leaders may face prison terms for up to 4 or 5 years.

The police has (quite openly said) that the target of the operation is Tvind's unquestioned leader, Mogens Amdi Petersen and its spokesperson, Poul Joergensen.

The raids took place in several locations, including Grindsted, Odense, Copenhagen and Ulfborg.

If the operation eventually leads to a criminal trial, a such will take place at Ringkoebing court, says the Holstebro chief of police, Jens Kaasgaard.

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