The spy chief, the politician and the high-stakes legal case that rocked Denmark

Claus Hjort Frederiksen, the former defence secretary, and ex-intelligence agency chief Lars Findsen were arrested and charged with allegedly leaking state secrets that had been in the public domain for years. Last month the case was dropped, but it is still leaving its mark. Jakob Illeborg talks to them both

Claus Hjort Frederiksen meets crew on the Danish warship Esbern Snare during his time as defence minister (AFP via Getty Images)

It is a saga that sounds like a John le Carré spy thriller, but played out at the top end of Danish politics.

The former defence secretary, Claus Hjort Frederiksen, is emotional as he recalls when his ordeal started.

"I parked my car in front of my house, and as I turned off the engine, two police officers jumped out of their car, came up to me and informed me that I was being charged with a very serious crime that could lead to 12 years in prison".