Geert Wilders found guilty of inciting discrimination against Dutch Moroccans

Geert Wilders, the leader of the Netherlands' Freedom Party (PVV) was found guilty by a Court on 9 December 2016 of inciting discrimination against Dutch Moroccans in an election speech.

The comments from March 2014 were seen as ‘demeaning and insulting to the Moroccan population’. The court decided not to fine or sentence Wilders on the basis that a criminal conviction was sufficient punishment in itself. Wilders was also found guilty of insulting Dutch people of Moroccan origin as a group, but cleared of inciting hatred against them. He was given 14 days to lodge an appeal.

ESO: Background information: Wilders goes on trial, charged with inciting hatred and discrimination http://www.europeansources.info/record/wilders-goes-on-trial-charged-with-inciting-hatred-and-discrimination/

EUObserver, 09.12.16: Wilders convicted for insulting Moroccans https://euobserver.com/political/136218

The Guardian, 09.12.16: Geert Wilders found guilty of inciting discrimination https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/09/geert-wilders-found-guilty-in-hate-speech-trial-but-no-sentence-imposed

BBC News, 09.12.16: Netherlands trial: Geert Wilders guilty of incitement http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38260377

The Independent, 09.12.16: Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders found guilty in hate speech trial http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/dutch-anti-islam-geert-wilders-trial-hate-speech-a7465021.html

The New York Times, 09.12.16: Geert Wilders, Dutch Far-Right Leader, Is Convicted of Inciting Discrimination http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/09/world/europe/geert-wilders-netherlands-trial.html

The Wall Street Journal, 09.12.16: Dutch Politician Geert Wilders Guilty of Inciting Discrimination, Not Hatred http://www.wsj.com/articles/dutch-politician-geert-wilders-guilty-of-inciting-discrimination-not-hatred-1481282186

Deutsche Welle, 09.12.16: Geert Wilders found guilty of inciting hatred, avoids punishment http://dw.com/p/2U0GS

Euronews, 09.12.16: Dutch anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders convicted of hate speech but escapes further sanction http://www.euronews.com/2016/12/09/dutch-anti-immigration-politician-geert-wilders-convicted-of-hate-speech-but

Dutchnews.nl, 09.12.16: Guilty or not guilty? Geert Wilders’ racial hatred trial draws to a close http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2016/12/guilty-or-not-guilty-geert-wilders-racial-hatred-trial-draws-to-a-close/

Politico, 09.12.16: Geert Wilders guilty of incitement http://www.politico.eu/article/geert-wilders-guilty-of-incitement-encouraging-discrimination-no-penalty/

Dutch News.nl, 09.12.16: Strong reactions to Wilders guilty verdict on inciting racial discrimination http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2016/12/98817-2/

Politico, 10.12.16: Geert Wilders: ‘I’ll clean house’ http://www.politico.eu/article/geert-wilders-ill-house-clean-in-the-netherlands/

EurActiv, 12.12.16: Dutch populist leader rises in polls after conviction http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/dutch-populist-leader-rises-in-polls-after-conviction/

---