Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Geert Wilders
Geert Wilders - Credit: Photo: JanKranendonk/DepositPhotos
Crime
Politics
Geert Wilders
fewer Moroccans
PVV
hate speech
compensation
apology
court
appeal
Friday, 28 June 2019 - 11:10
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Apology, damage payment sought in Geert Wilders hate speech trial

On the second day of the appeal in the hate-speech trial against PVV leader Geert Wilders on Thursday, claimants could demand compensation from the politician and explain why they think they deserve it. Demands ranged from apologies to actual monetary amounts between a symbolic 1 euro to over 30 thousand euros, NU.nl reports.

Wilders is on trial for statements he made about Moroccans while campaigning in The Hague on 2014. He asked a cafe full of people whether they want "more or fewer Moroccans in this city and the Netherlands". The audience responded by chanting "fewer, fewer, fewer". And Wilders said: "Well, the we will arrange that." He also said that The Hague should be a city with fewer problems and, if possible, fewer Moroccans.

Some of the claimants told the court that Wilders' statements frightened them. Some said they were anxious that they would be deported from the Netherlands. One said that Wilders' statements made him feel forced to leave the Netherlands, and he demanded compensation for the costs involved.

Wilders himself was not present at the hearing on Thursday. According to his lawyer, the PVV leader could not attend due to work in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament. But on Twitter Wilders said that he was not particularly interested in the "nonsense" of the claimants.

On December 9th, 2016, Wilders was found guilty of insulting a group of people and inciting discrimination. "Partly in view of the inflammatory nature and manner of these statements, others were hereby incited to discriminate against persons of Moroccan origin", the court ruled. The court did not give him any form of punishment, saying that the verdict is punishment enough. The Public Prosecutor demanded a 5 thousand euro fine. Both Wilders and the Prosecutor appealed.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Utrecht University chose not to be included on the Times Higher Education rankings
  • Rotterdam shootings suspect may have targeted Erasmus MC exam board member
  • Overweight people more likely to die of Covid-19, Dutch study confirms
  • Rotterdam shootings suspect expressed right-wing extremist views online
  • Speaking (in Dutch) about bikes & the weather: The Delft Method at NedLes
  • JetBlue threatens KLM over Schiphol downsizing plans

Top stories

  • Erasmus MC lecturer killed in Rotterdam shootings described as amiable, involved GP
  • Erasmus hospital was warned about student Fouad L., suspected of killing 3 in Rotterdam
  • Annual inflation rate drops to 0.2%, lowest in 7 years; Groceries 10% more expensive
  • Third victim, a 14-year-old girl, dies from injuries in Rotterdam shootings
  • Two killed, teen critically injured in Rotterdam shootings; Suspect a med student
  • Suspect arrested in Erasmus hospital shooting and fires; At least one dead

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content