Readers like you keep news free for everyone.
More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.
For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.
Peter Dejong
Geert Wilders pictured on Friday.
# The Hague
Over 100 arrested at Dutch anti-fascist protest, as Geert Wilders trial proceeds
About 200 protesters had gathered for the demonstration, organised under the slogan “Stop oppression against anti-facists and anarchists”.
POLICE HAVE ARRESTED 166 radical left-wingers at a protest in the Dutch capital The Hague over police violence.
About 200 protesters had gathered for Saturday’s demonstration, organised under the slogan “Stop oppression against anti-facists and anarchists”.
The city had approved the rally as long as people left their faces uncovered.
“At the start of the demonstration, a number of protesters covered their faces with scarves, hoods and sunglasses,” the police said in a statement.
After they refused to unmask, the mayor ordered the event to end. The police added:
A group of 166 protesters resisted… and were arrested for breaking the law on public demonstrations.
Illegal fireworks, paint bombs, sticks and a hammer were found on the ground when police moved in to make the arrests.
Far-right trial
Late last week, Dutch prosecutors demanded a €5,000 fine for controversial anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders in his hate-speech trial, saying he “insulted Moroccans” and sowed discord among citizens.
“We ask the bench to convict Mr Wilders for insulting a group and incitement to hate and discrimination, and therefore demand a fine of €5,000,” public prosecutor Wouter Bos told judges.
But he did not ask for the maximum penalty of €22,250, as Bos said “there are worst statements imaginable” than those made by the far-right leader, known for his fiery rhetoric.
The peroxide-haired politician’s comments “were insulting towards Moroccans as an ethnic group” and bore testimony of “strong negative feelings” towards them, Bos said.
Neither Wilders – who has snubbed the sittings at a high security courthouse near Schiphol airport – nor his lawyer were present as prosecutors wrapped up their case.
Wilders, 53, is facing charges of insulting a racial group and inciting racial hatred after statements he made about Moroccans living in the Netherlands.
Moroccans
Due to run until 25 November, the trial focuses on a March 2014 election rally when Wilders asked supporters whether they wanted “fewer or more Moroccans” in the country.
When the crowd shouted back “Fewer! Fewer!” a smiling Wilders answered: “We’re going to organise that.”
With this speech, Wilders “made a clear distinction between Moroccans and other Dutch citizens,” another prosecutor, Sabina van der Kallen told a three-judge bench.
The verdict and sentence are expected on 9 December.
Wilders has so far snubbed the trial which he has denounced as a “political process” and a “travesty” accusing government of trying to silence him.
