Populist anti-Islam Dutch MP Geert Wilders was found guilty on Friday of discrimination against Moroccans, but acquitted of hate speech in a closely-watched trial ahead of next year’s key election.
The inflammatory character of the way in which the statements were made have incited others to discriminate people of Moroccan origin
But they added that there was “insufficient evidence” that his words at an election rally in 2014 amounted to incitement to hatred.
The judges also dismissed the prosecution’s request to impose a €5,000 fine on the far-right MP, whose Freedom Party (PVV) is eying an upset victory in the March 2017 polls.
“In this case, the most important question is whether Wilders has crossed a line. This judgement has answered that question,” the judges said in their verdict.
“Therewith, the chamber finds that justice has been done. Consequently, no punishment is imposed.”
Wilders, 53, immediately gave notice that he intended to appeal his conviction, as he believed it was “a big loss for freedom of speech”.
The most recent opinion polls predict the PVV will top the vote, saying it could seize 34 seats in the 150-seat lower house of Dutch parliament, some 10 seats ahead of his nearest rival, Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s Liberals.