Far-right Dutch politician faces charges over a rally in 2014 where he led a chant against Moroccan immigrants

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Dutch prosecutors have demanded that the anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders be fined €5,000 (£4,300) for hate speech and discrimination, though no prison sentence was sought.

Wilders faces charges of discrimination and inciting racial hatred at a rally in 2014, where he led supporters in chanting that they wanted fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands. He denies wrongdoing in the case, which comes four months before national elections.

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The prosecution’s demand is likely be dismissed by Wilders’ opponents as too light. The maximum punishment under Dutch law is two years in prison.

As prosecutors spoke, MPs from Wilders’ far-right Freedom party walked onto the floor of parliament to protest. They held up a picture of Wilders with a red “X” over his mouth, implying his right to free speech was being denied.

Prosecutors said in court that they had proved that the comments made during regional campaigning were planned and intended to target a specific ethnic group – which is a violation of the constitution.

In a televised incident on 19 March 2014, Wilders asked supporters whether they wanted more or fewer Moroccans in the country. They chanted “Fewer! Fewer! Fewer!” A smiling Wilders responded: “We’ll take care of that.”

Prosecutors argued that Wilders had set up the scene and intentionally had his speech climax with a rhetorical question that would incite the crowd and attract media attention.

The Netherlands’ 400,000 Moroccans make up about 2% of the population.

Prosecutors asked that Wilders’ lack of remorse be considered when a judgment is passed, most likely next month.