Public Prosecution Service requests acquittal for group insult

Today, the Public Prosecution Service in Amsterdam has pronounced the first part of the closing speech in the trial against Geert Wilders. The Public Prosecution Service has requested acquittal for the first count in the summons - article 137c Criminal Code (insulting a group).

The statements indicted in count 1 can certainly be hurtful to Muslims. Comparing the Koran and the Islam to Mein Kampf, national socialism, fascism and communism can without a doubt be hurtful. However, hurting feelings as such is not a punishable insult as referred to in article 137c Criminal Code.

The second part of the Prosecutor’s closing speech will be held on Friday October 15, which shall deal with:

• Theoretical part article 137d Criminal Code (inciting hate and inciting discrimination)
• Assessment  pursuant to criminal law of count 2 (inciting hatred on account of religion)
• Assessment  pursuant to criminal law of count 3 (inciting discrimination on account of religion)
• Assessment  pursuant to criminal law of count 4 (inciting hatred on account of race)
• Assessment  pursuant to criminal law of count 5 (inciting discrimination on account of race)