The police bureau in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, has asked its watchdog to investigate officers’ alleged suppression of protesters holding the Tibetan flag during former Chinese President Hu Jintao’s state visit three years ago.

The Copenhagen Police will face a formal inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Authority after its explanation of the 2012 event raised doubts, according to Danish news site thelocal.dk.

Photo: HKFP

The police bureau said it could not identify officers accused of preventing protesters from displaying the Tibetan flag in front of Hu during his visit in June,2012. But at least one officer has identified himself and was interviewed by a local magazine, the website said.

A court in Copenhagen ruled last week that police unlawfully detained one of the protesters for an hour and forced him to put away his flag.