A former Pakistani international cricketer, Khalid Latif, is currently on trial in the Netherlands for allegedly inciting the murder of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders. Prosecutors are seeking a 12-year sentence if Latif is found guilty.
According to Dutch public prosecutors, Latif, who is currently in Pakistan, offered 21,000 euros ($23,000) in an online video from 2018, in which he called for the killing of Geert Wilders. The controversial Dutch MP had cancelled a caricature competition of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) due to widespread protests and death threats.
During a court hearing held at a high-security courthouse near Schiphol airport, prosecutor FA Kuipers stated, “Latif tried to move others to murder Wilders and to avenge the cartoon contest.” She further emphasized that his actions aimed not only to end a life through violence but also to silence a Dutch representative. As a result, the prosecution is requesting a 12-year sentence.
Neither Latif nor his legal representation were present in the courtroom, and the Pakistani embassy in The Hague offered no immediate comment. Prosecutors have been trying to communicate with Latif since 2018 but have received no response. Due to the absence of a legal assistance treaty with Pakistan, the requested information remains unanswered.
Geert Wilders, who was present during the hearing, informed the judges that the number of death threats against him had increased following his plans for the controversial cartoon competition. Wilders, known for his outspoken remarks about Islam, has been under 24-hour state protection since 2004. He expressed his belief that there is no justification for putting a price on someone’s life for an artistic contest.
The cancellation of the cartoon competition had faced significant criticism at home, with politicians, media, and citizens denouncing the idea as needlessly provocative to Muslims. The prosecutor argued that Latif’s call for action resonated in the real world, pointing out that a Pakistani man had been sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2019 for plotting to assassinate Wilders after the contest was cancelled.
The verdict is expected to be announced on September 11. Khalid Latif, who was previously banned from cricket for spot-fixing in 2017, completed his five-year ban last year and has since been coaching at the club level in Karachi.