Prosecutors Demand 14-Year Sentence for Pakistani Leader in Geert Wilders Threat Case

Dutch prosecutors are demanding a 14-year sentence for Pakistani Muslim leader Muhammad Ashraf Asif Jalali, accused of inciting the murder of anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders. Fel threats have forced Wilders under lifelong police protection. Jalali, along with another Pakistani, is being tried in absentia.

Prosecutors in the Netherlands have sought a 14-year sentence for Pakistani Muslim leader Muhammad Ashraf Asif Jalali, who is accused of inciting the murder of anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders.

Jalali, who absented himself from the trial held in a tightly guarded Amsterdam courtroom, allegedly abused his religious influence to call for followers to kill Wilders. Another Pakistani man faces similar charges and is set to stand trial later, also expected to be absent.

This case is the latest in a series of threats against Wilders, necessitating ongoing, tight security around him. Prosecutors have cited that the threats emerged following Wilders' 2018 plan to hold a controversial cartoon competition featuring depictions of the Prophet Muhammad, which provoked considerable backlash across the Muslim world.

(With inputs from agencies.)