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Dutch politician Geert Wilders faces hate speech trial | Dutch politician Geert Wilders faces hate speech trial |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders is due to go on trial accused of racial discrimination and inciting hatred. | Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders is due to go on trial accused of racial discrimination and inciting hatred. |
The charges were brought after he led a chant for fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands at a rally 18 months ago. | The charges were brought after he led a chant for fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands at a rally 18 months ago. |
Mr Wilders, leader of the Dutch Freedom Party (PVV), says that he will not attend Monday's trial in Schiphol, calling it "a travesty". | Mr Wilders, leader of the Dutch Freedom Party (PVV), says that he will not attend Monday's trial in Schiphol, calling it "a travesty". |
If convicted, he faces a fine and a year in prison. | |
Mr Wilders has repeatedly criticised Islam, calling for the Koran to be banned and for the closure of all mosques in the Netherlands. | Mr Wilders has repeatedly criticised Islam, calling for the Koran to be banned and for the closure of all mosques in the Netherlands. |
'Political trial' | 'Political trial' |
But prosecutors say he crossed the line at a 2014 rally of his PVV party when he asked supporters if they wanted "fewer or more Moroccans" in the Netherlands. | But prosecutors say he crossed the line at a 2014 rally of his PVV party when he asked supporters if they wanted "fewer or more Moroccans" in the Netherlands. |
After supporters chanted back "fewer", he replied: "We'll organise that." | After supporters chanted back "fewer", he replied: "We'll organise that." |
Mr Wilders has denounced the trial as an attempt to suppress freedom of speech. | Mr Wilders has denounced the trial as an attempt to suppress freedom of speech. |
"This trial is a political trial, in which I refuse to co-operate," he said in a statement. | "This trial is a political trial, in which I refuse to co-operate," he said in a statement. |
In 2011, Mr Wilders was acquitted of incitement after being accused of encouraging hatred towards Muslims. | In 2011, Mr Wilders was acquitted of incitement after being accused of encouraging hatred towards Muslims. |
The latest trial comes as opinion polls show the PVV doing well, ahead of parliamentary elections in March. | The latest trial comes as opinion polls show the PVV doing well, ahead of parliamentary elections in March. |
The party is now almost neck-and-neck with Prime Minister Mark Rutte's liberal VVD, with each predicted to win between 25 to 29 seats in the 150-seat parliament. | The party is now almost neck-and-neck with Prime Minister Mark Rutte's liberal VVD, with each predicted to win between 25 to 29 seats in the 150-seat parliament. |