Former Pakistani Cricketer Sentenced to 12 Years for Incitement

A Dutch court has handed down a 12-year prison sentence to Khalid Latif, a former Pakistani cricketer, over allegations of incitement to kill Geert Wilders, a prominent anti-Islam lawmaker. The court found Latif guilty of offering a bounty of approximately 21,000 euros (USD 23,000) to anyone who would assassinate Wilders. Latif did not appear for the trial, and he was not represented by legal counsel. Currently believed to be in Pakistan, there is no extradition agreement between Pakistan and the Netherlands.

Geert Wilders: A Long History of Threats 

Throughout the trial, Latif was not identified by name, but prosecutors asserted that a video posted online in 2018 showed a famous Pakistani cricketer offering the reward for killing Wilders. Wilders himself confirmed the identity of the suspect as Khalid Latif. The court ultimately ruled that a lengthy unconditional prison term was the appropriate punishment for these offences. 

Geert Wilders, the Dutch lawmaker at the centre of this case, has lived under constant protection for years due to repeated threats against his life, stemming from his strong criticism of Islam. 

The Controversial Cartoon Contest 

The alleged bounty offer arose after Geert Wilders announced his intention to organize a cartoon competition featuring depictions of the Prophet Muhammad. This plan led to outrage in the Muslim world, as many Muslims consider any portrayals of the Prophet Muhammad to be blasphemous. While the contest was eventually cancelled, it had already sparked significant controversy. 

An international arrest warrant has been issued for Khalid Latif. Dutch prosecutors have been attempting to contact him since 2018, initially as a witness and later to answer the charges against him. However, they reported that they have not received any response from the Pakistani authorities. 

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