Dutch politician Wilders convicted of insulting, inciting discrimination against Moroccans

Record ID: 76759

  • Title: Dutch politician Wilders convicted of insulting, inciting discrimination against Moroccans
  • Date: 9th December 2016
  • Summary: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (FILE - MAY 20, 2014) (REUTERS) WILDERS CUTTING STAR OFF EU FLAG WILDERS HOLDING STAR
  • Embargoed: 24th December 2016 13:29
  • Keywords: Wilders Netherlands Moroccans court
  • Location: SCHIPOL, THE NETHERLANDS / BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / UNKNOWN LOCATION
  • City: SCHIPOL, THE NETHERLANDS / BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / UNKNOWN LOCATION
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Reuters ID: LVA0055C5XDMV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS A WHITE FRAME IN SHOT EIGHT
    Judges on Friday (December 9) convicted Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders of insulting Moroccans and inciting discrimination against them, but levied no punishment against him.
    The charges against Wilders stem from a 2014 campaign rally, when he led a group of supporters to chant they wanted "Fewer! Fewer! Fewer!" Moroccans in the Netherlands. A smiling Wilders concluded: "We're going to take care of that."
    Reading the decision of a three-judge panel, Presiding Judge Hendrik Steenhuis said "no one is above the law", including politicians. Wilders had planned the inflammatory remarks beforehand and incited others to discriminate people of Moroccan origin, he said.
    "The court sees in the circumstances cause to decide that Mr. Wilders being a politician made him guilty of insulting a group and inciting discrimination. The court believes that this is enough punishment for him. Hence Mr. Wilders is declared guilty without receiving a punishment," judge Hendrik Steenhuis said.
    In a videotaped response to the verdict, which he did not attend in person, Wilders said: "I will never be silent".
    There are roughly 400,000 people of Moroccan origin in the Netherlands.
    In closing remarks on November 23, Wilders told judges his remarks were obviously not intended as a call to genocide - he has never advocated violence - but rather a reference to his official party platform.
    Measures he endorses that could lead to fewer Moroccans include a ban on immigration, expelling Moroccans with dual nationality who commit crimes, and a "voluntary repatriation" policy.
    Prosecutors, who rejected Wilders' assertions the trial was politically motivated and an unfair attempt to limit his right to free speech, had asked that a fine of 5,000 euros ($5,300), but no prison sentence, be imposed.
    Wilders' appeal is likely to last throughout the parliamentary election campaign, which runs for six weeks before voting on March 15.
    A previous attempt to prosecute Wilders for anti-Islam remarks, such as likening the religion to Nazism and calling for a ban on the Koran, ended in acquittal in 2011. That process was widely seen as strengthening his reputation as a defender of freedom of speech and increased his popularity.
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