Dutch prosecutors have called for a 12-year prison term for a former Pakistani cricketer accused of inciting the murder of prominent anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders. The suspect, identified as Khalid Latif by Wilders, allegedly offered a reward of €21,000 for anyone who would kill Wilders. The accused, who didn't attend the trial and is believed to be in Pakistan, is said to have posted a video in 2018 making the offer. Geert Wilders has faced threats due to his criticism of Islam, and the danger intensified after he announced a cartoon competition depicting the Prophet Muhammad which was eventually cancelled. Dutch prosecutors emphasised that the threat undermined the rule of law and caused significant distress. An international warrant has been issued for Latif's arrest, while efforts to contact him have yielded no response from Pakistani authorities.
Wilders expressed his conviction that a verdict against Latif would send a "powerful signal" against threats. Addressing Latif, Wilders stated that his call to kill would not silence him.
An international arrest warrant has been issued for Latif, with Dutch prosecutors attempting to communicate with him since 2018. Notably, Latif, 37, faced a five-year cricket ban in 2017 for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal in the Pakistan Super League.
This case coincides with tensions in parts of the Muslim world stemming from Quran burnings in Sweden, leading to preliminary hate speech charges against an Iraqi refugee responsible for the desecrations.
Latif's cricketing career
Latif has represented Pakistan in five ODIs and 13 T20Is. He made his international debut against Zimbabwe in 2008. More than eight months later, he made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe as well. He made his last T20I appearance in 2016 against West Indies. He has scored 147 runs from five ODI innings and 237 runs from 13 T20I innings. He has hit one half-century each in both formats.
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(With AP inputs, powered by AI)
