Khalid Latif, a former cricketer, has been handed a 12-year prison sentenceby a Dutch court for inciting the murder of Geert Wilders, a prominentfigure in the Dutch far-right political landscape. What’s particularlystriking about this case is that Latif was absent during the trial, yet thecourt deemed his statement as incitement to murder and a grave threat.
Despite his physical absence and lack of detention within the Netherlands,the court saw fit to pass this significant sentence.
The prosecutor, FA Kuipers, argued vigorously in court, contending thatLatif’s intentions extended beyond merely inciting violence with fatalconsequences; they also aimed to suppress a Dutch representative. Moreover,prosecutors presented compelling evidence in the form of a 2018 onlinevideo where Latif allegedly promoted a bounty for the assassination ofGeert Wilders.
This video, which explicitly targeted Wilders, came in response to thefar-right leader’s plan to organize a caricature competition of ProphetMuhammad (PBUH), an event that was later canceled due to mounting protestsand death threats.
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Dutch prosecutors have highlighted the severe danger posed by the video, asit exacerbated existing hostility towards Geert Wilders. Consequently, aninternational arrest warrant has been issued for Khalid Latif, intensifyingthe effort to bring him to justice. It’s essential to note that Dutchauthorities have been trying to locate and engage with the former cricketersince 2018, initially seeking his testimony and later to address theallegations head-on.
This case underscores the global significance of addressing incitement toviolence and threats against public figures, even in situations where theaccused is physically absent from the trial proceedings.
