Dutch politician Wilders found guilty in hate speech trial
Xinhua, December 9, 2016 Adjust font size:
Dutch right wing populist politician Geert Wilders was found guilty for insulting Moroccans as a group and inciting discrimination in court on Friday in Badhoevedorp, the Netherlands, but he was not given a punishment by the judges.
"Freedom of expression is one of the foundations of our society," presiding judge Hendrik Steenhuis said. "However, freedom of expression could be restricted in order to protect other people. That is the issue in this case. As a politician Wilders is not above the law."
The Dutch public prosecutor had demanded a fine of 5,000 euro (5,281.36 U.S. dollars) for Wilders. The accused Party of Freedom (PVV) leader, who advocates an anti-Islam policy, was absent in court to hear his judgment.
The trial was about statements by Wilders in 2014. In his speech after the municipal elections campaign on March 19, Wilders asked his supporters whether they wanted "more or fewer" Moroccans, with the attendees cheering "fewer, fewer" as their answer. "Good, we're going to arrange that," Wilders concluded.
It is not the first time a Wilders case appears in court. In June 2011 he was acquitted of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims and Moroccans. Enditem