Ex-Pakistani cricketer on trial for inciting Geert Wilders’ homicide within the Netherlands. Verdict on Sept 11.
Badhoevedorp (Netherlands) (AFP) – A former Pakistani worldwide cricketer went on trial Tuesday within the Netherlands for allegedly making an attempt to incite the homicide of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders, with prosecutors demanding a 12-year sentence if convicted.
Dutch public prosecutors stated Khalid Latif, 37, who stays in Pakistan, had provided 21,000 euros ($23,000) in a web based video from 2018 by which he referred to as for Wilders’ killing.
The outspoken Dutch MP on the time cancelled a contest for cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) after indignant demonstrations broke out, significantly in Pakistan, and the far-right politician was inundated with loss of life threats.
“Latif tried to maneuver others to homicide Mr Wilders and to avenge the cartoon contest,” prosecutor F. A. Kuipers informed the judges.
“Not solely was his objective to finish a human life with violence, however along with his enchantment he tried to silence a Dutch consultant,” she stated at a court docket listening to, held at a excessive safety courthouse close to Schiphol airport.
“Calling for a homicide to forestall the cartoon competitors and providing a sum of cash to kill the organiser of that competitors, must be very severely punished so far as the Public Prosecution is worried,” Kuipers added, earlier than asking for a 12-year sentence.
Neither Latif, nor any lawyer have been current within the courtroom.
The Pakistani embassy in The Hague had no remark instantly after the listening to and Latif couldn’t be instantly reached for remark.
Kuipers stated prosecutors have tried since 2018 to talk to the cricketer and handed over a request to Islamabad for authorized help, to no avail.
The Netherlands doesn’t have a treaty relating to authorized help with Pakistan, she stated.
“The questions we now have for Latif stay unanswered,” Kuipers stated.
Will not be silenced
Wilders, who was in court docket through the listening to, informed the judges loss of life threats on his life elevated after his plans to stage the controversial cartoon competitors.
Identified for his firebrand feedback about Islam, Wilders has been underneath 24-hour state safety since 2004.
“No matter you discover of the cartoon competitors, there isn’t any purpose to place a worth of loss of life on any person’s head for it,” Wilders stated.
Addressing Latif personally, Wilders, recognized for his peroxide bouffant hairdo, stated “your name to have me murdered won’t ever silence me”.
However on the time, the plan to stage the competition acquired widespread criticism at residence, with politicians, native media and atypical residents slamming the thought as needlessly antagonising Muslims.
Latif’s name resonated in the actual world, Kuipers stated.
A Dutch court docket in 2019 sentenced a Pakistani man to 10 years in jail for plotting to assassinate Wilders within the wake of the cancelled contest.
Learn additionally: Holy Quran desecrated throughout far-right demo in Netherlands
The person, recognized as Junaid I. was arrested in 2018 at a practice station in The Hague after he posted a movie on Fb by which he stated he needed to “ship Wilders to hell” and urged others to assist.
The decision is because of be handed down on September 11.
Latif, 37, who performed 5 one-day internationals and 13 T20Is, was banned from cricket for 5 years in 2017 for spot-fixing in a Pakistan Tremendous League match in Dubai.
Latif, who had proven great early promise as a cricketer however didn’t make an affect at worldwide stage, made his final Pakistan look towards the West Indies in Abu Dhabi in September 2016.
He accomplished his ban final 12 months and has since been dwelling a low-profile life in Karachi, teaching at membership stage.