Just in:
US reiterates concern over Kejriwal arrest, Cong accounts // French Leaders Gather for Interfaith Iftar Dinner // Sunshine’s Debut Features Leave Tech World Scratching Its Head // Ingdan Announces 2023 Annual Results // Melco Style Presents “SANRIO CHARACTERS STUDIO CITY CARNIVAL” – Explore a SANRIO World of Unlimited Love and Cuteness // TUMI Hosts Global Launch Event in Singapore to Unveil Women’s Asra Collection and Announce Global Ambassador, Mun Ka Young // Konica Minolta is named ASEAN 2023 Market Leader in Colour Light and Mid Digital Production Printers // Ajman Celebrates Conclusion of Ramadan Activities with Grand Ceremony // New Nylon Constant Torque Hinge From Southco Provides Position Control In A Compact Package // No running of govt from jail, says Delhi Lt Governor // Universal Language for Healthcare: General Authority Embraces Global Coding System // Saudi Arabia Unveils Green Financing Tool to Achieve Net-Zero Goals // Experience Ultimate Shopping Freedom at 4.4 Shopee Spree: Don’t Worry, Shop Shopee! // Global Audience to Witness Thrill of Dubai World Cup // Following the Money Trail: US and UK Investigate $20 Billion in USDT Transfers Tied to Sanctioned Russian Exchange // Hope for Respite as UAE Endorses UN Plea for Gaza Truce // U.S. Compliance Takes Center Stage at OKX Following Industry Jitters // German Job Market Resilience Bodes Well for Economic Recovery // AIA Hong Kong Wins More Than 20 Accolades at MPF Ratings MPF Awards, BENCHMARK MPF of The Year Awards and Bloomberg Businessweek Top Fund Awards // Andertoons by Mark Anderson for Thu, 28 Mar 2024 //
HomeWorldVerdict expected in hate speech trial of Dutch politician Wilders

Verdict expected in hate speech trial of Dutch politician Wilders

ADVERTISEMENT

AMSTERDAM A verdict is expected later on Friday in the hate-speech trial of Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who was quoted in a newspaper earlier in the day as saying that the judgment was irrelevant.

Wilders was tried on charges of inciting discrimination and hatred at a 2014 gathering, when his supporters chanted they wanted “Fewer! Fewer! Fewer!” Moroccans in the Netherlands. A smiling Wilders concluded: “we’re going to take care of that.”

Wilders, who is leading in several polls before March elections, said he was not guilty any wrongdoing. He is not required to come to court for the verdict and is not expected to attend.

“Every verdict, acquittal, or conviction will de facto change nothing,” he said in an interview with De Telegraaf published on Friday.

“I will continue to speak the truth regardless, including about the Moroccan problem, and no judge, politician or terrorist will stop me.”

In closing remarks on Nov. 23, he 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 is politically motivated and an unfair attempt to limit his right to free speech, have asked that a fine of 5,000 euros ($5,300), but no prison sentence, be imposed [nL8N1DI34R].

If Wilders is convicted and decides to appeal, the process would be 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.

($1 = 0.9416 euros)

(Reporting by Toby Sterling, editing by Larry King)

-Reuters

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT
Just in:
TUMI Hosts Global Launch Event in Singapore to Unveil Women’s Asra Collection and Announce Global Ambassador, Mun Ka Young // French Leaders Gather for Interfaith Iftar Dinner // Sharjah Chamber Breaks Ground on Final Expansion with New HQ Pact // Arvind Kejriwal Was Used By BJP In 2011 Movement To Take On The Congress // Universal Language for Healthcare: General Authority Embraces Global Coding System // US reiterates concern over Kejriwal arrest, Cong accounts // German Job Market Resilience Bodes Well for Economic Recovery // U.S. Compliance Takes Center Stage at OKX Following Industry Jitters // 2024 Lok Sabha Elections Will Be The Costliest One Till Now In The Whole World // No running of govt from jail, says Delhi Lt Governor // Saudi Arabia Unveils Green Financing Tool to Achieve Net-Zero Goals // Samsung Partners National Heritage Board to Bring a Slice of Singapore’s Cultural Heritage to Samsung The Frame TV // New Nylon Constant Torque Hinge From Southco Provides Position Control In A Compact Package // Ingdan Announces 2023 Annual Results // Melco Style Presents “SANRIO CHARACTERS STUDIO CITY CARNIVAL” – Explore a SANRIO World of Unlimited Love and Cuteness // Experience Ultimate Shopping Freedom at 4.4 Shopee Spree: Don’t Worry, Shop Shopee! // Emirati Aid Reaches Ukraine as Food Shortages Bite // Following the Money Trail: US and UK Investigate $20 Billion in USDT Transfers Tied to Sanctioned Russian Exchange // Sharpening the Focus: Sharjah Health Department Refines Evaluation Criteria for “Healthy Schools Programme” // Sunshine’s Debut Features Leave Tech World Scratching Its Head //