A Dutch court has sentenced Khalid Latif, a former Pakistan international cricketer, to a 12-year prison term for inciting the murder of the prominent anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders.
The case revolves around an online video posted by Latif, in which he offered a substantial sum of 21,000 euros ($22,500) for the assassination of Wilders. This offer came in response to Wilders organizing a contentious competition featuring cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.
Dutch authorities convicted Latif, aged 37, in absentia because they were unsuccessful in their attempts to interrogate him regarding the case and obtain legal assistance from Pakistan. Despite the substantial sentence, there are doubts whether Latif will ever serve this time.
During the sentencing, Presiding Judge G. Verbeek conveyed a strong message, emphasizing, “It was not a stretch to think that somebody around the world would have taken heed of the call to kill Mr. Wilders. The accused was aware of this, and his call added fuel to the fire in the desire to have Wilders killed.”
Geert Wilders, who has been under 24-hour state protection since 2004 due to numerous death threats, expressed his contentment with the verdict but expressed concerns about Pakistan’s lack of cooperation in this matter.
Wilders’ Extradition Demand
Wilders stated outside the courtroom, “It is no longer acceptable that the Pakistani authorities refuse to cooperate. I am going to ask the prime minister to ensure that Khalid Latif is arrested in Pakistan and extradited to the Netherlands.”
Initially, Wilders had planned to host the cartoon contest, which garnered extensive criticism within the Netherlands. Politicians, local media, and citizens condemned it as unnecessarily provocative to the Muslim community.
The contest’s cancellation came as a result of protests in Pakistan and a significant increase in death threats against Wilders.
Judge Verbeek underscored that Latif’s video not only singled out Wilders personally but also posed a direct challenge to the fundamental principle of free speech in the Netherlands. This case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and dilemmas arising from the convergence of free speech and religious sensitivities in a diverse society.
