This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37819682
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 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. |