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AMSTERDAM: Geert Wilders, the Dutch far-right politician who was acquitted five years ago of making anti-Islam remarks, went on trial again on Friday for hate speech and discrimination against the Moroccan minority. The case comes as Wilders and other populist politicians including Donald Trump in the United States and Marine le Pen in France have won support by calling for bans on Muslim immigration.
Wilders, with his trademark peroxide blonde hair, joked with reporters at the start of the hearing and listened calmly as prosecutors detailed the charges. He says the trial is politically motivated and that his comments are protected by his right to free speech.] “Freedom of expression is not absolute, it is paired with obligations and responsibilities,” said lead prosecutor Wouter Bos, “the responsibility not to set groups of people against each other.”
“Racism and hatred of foreigners constitute a direct violation of the basis of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.”
Wilders attracted the attention of prosecutors by repeatedly calling for “fewer Moroccans” during election campaigning in 2014. At one rally, he asked supporters whether they wanted more or fewer Moroccans, triggering the chant: “Fewer! Fewer! Fewer!,” to which a smiling Wilders responded: “We’ll take care of that.”