Amsterdam, August 29, 2023 – A momentous trial has commenced in the Netherlands, featuring allegations against a former Pakistani cricket star for purportedly masterminding a conspiracy to incite the murder of renowned Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders. The former cricketer, Khalid Latif, stands accused of offering a substantial monetary reward to individuals willing to carry out the nefarious act. Prosecutors, during the initial hearing held at a high-security courthouse adjacent to Schiphol airport, pressed for a severe 12-year prison sentence should Latif be found guilty of these grave charges.
Prosecutors from the Dutch judiciary contend that Khalid Latif, aged 37 and currently residing in Pakistan, was instrumental in the dissemination of an online video in 2018. In the video, Latif is alleged to have offered a sum of 21,000 euros ($23,000) as an incentive for the assassination of Geert Wilders. The prominent Dutch parliamentarian had earlier canceled a controversial cartoon competition centered around caricatures of the revered Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) due to the violent unrest and subsequent death threats that ensued, particularly within Pakistan.
During the court proceedings, Prosecutor FA Kuipers made a compelling argument, asserting that Latif’s intentions were not only to orchestrate the demise of a human being through violent means, but also to suppress a representative of the Dutch nation through his actions. The prosecutor maintained that Latif’s incitement to violence and his offer of financial remuneration to eliminate the competition’s organizer demanded severe retribution, emphasizing the gravity of the charges and the need for a lengthy custodial sentence.
In a notable turn of events, neither Khalid Latif nor his legal representation were present within the courtroom during the trial’s commencement. Post the hearing, the Pakistani embassy in The Hague chose to remain silent on the matter, and attempts to elicit a statement from Latif were met with no immediate response. Prosecutor Kuipers revealed that since 2018, concerted efforts had been made to establish contact with Latif, including a formal request for legal cooperation addressed to Islamabad. However, these endeavors proved futile, and Kuipers pointed out the absence of a bilateral legal assistance agreement between the Netherlands and Pakistan as a significant impediment.
During the hearing, Geert Wilders, known for his unreserved and controversial remarks on Islam, addressed the court personally. He underscored that the threats against his life had escalated exponentially following his proposal for the controversial cartoon competition. Wilders, who has been under constant state protection since 2004, emphatically conveyed his unwavering commitment to resisting attempts to silence him through threats of violence.
The trial’s context was further highlighted by the widespread criticism the cartoon competition received within the Netherlands itself. The contentious event drew condemnation from politicians, local media, and ordinary citizens who viewed it as unnecessarily provocative. Prosecutor Kuipers stressed that the echoes of Latif’s call resonated beyond the digital realm, manifesting in tangible consequences.
Notably, in 2019, a Dutch court had convicted a Pakistani individual and sentenced him to a decade of incarceration for plotting to assassinate Geert Wilders following the aborted cartoon contest. This individual, identified as Junaid I., was apprehended at a train station in The Hague after publishing a video on Facebook where he openly expressed his intention to bring harm to Wilders.
The verdict in Khalid Latif’s trial is anticipated to be delivered on September 11, 2023. Latif, who had a promising start in cricket but struggled to cement his place on the international stage, represented Pakistan in five one-day internationals and 13 T20Is. He faced a five-year suspension from cricket in 2017 due to his involvement in a spot-fixing scandal during a Pakistan Super League match in Dubai. Having successfully served his suspension, Latif has since embraced a low-profile existence in Karachi, dedicating his efforts to coaching at the grassroots level.
With contributions from AFP
