Wilders is standing trial for incitement to discrimination as a result of his “fewer Moroccans” campaign during the 2014 election.
Rabat – The trial of controversial Dutch politician Geert Wilders hit the headlines last week with speculation that the Dutch Ministry of Justice has been involved in the case. According to RTL nieuws, the Public Prosecutor and the Ministry of Justice have been collaborating in the trial.
Geert Wilders was convicted of inciting discrimination in 2016, as a result of his controversial pledge for “fewer Moroccans” in Holland during his election campaign of 2014. Throughout the five years of his trial, Wilders has always maintained the position that his trial was politically motivated, not in line with the principles of the rule of law.
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While the Public Prosecutor did not seem convinced initially, top-ranking civil servants of the Ministry of Justice described Wilder’s remarks as “malevolent” and “racist” in a highly confidential message.The ministry subsequently recommended that the Public Prosecutor proceed with the trial in 2014, according to RTL nieuws.
Wilders has strongly condemned the recent developments and has filed an official complaint against the Public Prosecutor. The Prosecutor however maintains the position that the decision to initiate prosecution was not influenced by any other parties and was enacted in accordance with the rule of law.
Prime-Minister Mark Rutte has refused to comment, he says that since Wilders’ case is still in process at the court of The Hague he is not in a position to comment.
After the conviction in 2016, Wilders made an appeal to the court for a dismissal of the case. Despite his appeal, the court at the Hague ruled in favour of proceeding with the trial last Friday.
