Wilders hate-speech case: 40 compensation claims rejected

The Public Prosecutor rejected compensation claims submitted by 40 Morrocan people against PVV leader Geert Wilders. They demanded 500 euros each against Wilders because they feel victimized by statements Wilders made about having "fewer Moroccans" in The Hague and the Netherlands during an election campaign in 2014.

According to Dutch newspaper AD, the Public Prosecutor stated that the Moroccans have no right to compensation as their claims do not meet the legal conditins for compensation. The Prosecutor will explain those conditions during the trial next week. The court will make the final decision on whether or not to reject these claims, but asked the Prosecutor for advice. The Prosecutor advices that the court should dismiss the claims, a spokesperson said to the newspaper.

The claims are part of criminal proceedings against Wilders, which are set to start on Monday. The PVV leader is facing various forms of hate speech charges because of statements he mad in March 2014. He asked a room full of people whether they wanted more or fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands. In reply the room chanted "fewer, fewer, fewer", to which Wilders said: "We will arrange it."

The trial is expected to take three weeks. For safety reasons the trial will be held in the high security court at Schiphol.