A Dutch court on Monday convicted two Pakistani political leaders for making calls to murder Geert Wilders, a prominent anti-Muslim lawmaker in the Netherlands.
The District Court of The Hague sentenced a 56-year-old man, described as a political and religious leader from Pakistan, to 14 years in prison for attempted and actual incitement and threats to murder with terrorist intent. A 29-year-old “political leader” from Pakistan received a four-year sentence for incitement and threats to murder.
Both men were tried and sentenced in absentia, as they are believed to be outside the Netherlands. The court did not disclose the names of the convicted individuals or provide further details about their political activities in Pakistan.
The case stems from accusations made in February that the two men had publicly called for Wilders’ murder, promising rewards in the afterlife for anyone who carried out the act. Wilders, whose party recently joined the Dutch government following an election victory, has lived under tight security for the past 20 years due to persistent death threats.
This is not the first case of its kind. In September 2023, a Dutch court sentenced a Pakistani former cricketer to 12 years in prison, also in absentia, for publicly urging people to kill Wilders.
The likelihood of these sentences being served is low, as the Netherlands does not have an extradition treaty with Pakistan.
Wilders’ anti-Muslim rhetoric has made him a controversial figure both in the Netherlands and abroad. As Wilders and his party take on a more prominent role in Dutch politics, the government faces ongoing security challenges.
