Current:Home > StocksDutch court sentences former Pakistani cricketer to 12 years over a bounty for a far-right lawmaker -MarketEdge
Dutch court sentences former Pakistani cricketer to 12 years over a bounty for a far-right lawmaker
View
Date:2025-04-16 02:40:30
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A Dutch court on Monday sentenced a former Pakistani cricketer to 12 years in prison over allegations that he incited people to kill firebrand anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders.
Khalid Latif, 37, stood accused of offering a bounty of some 21,000 euros ($23,000) to anybody who killed Wilders. Latif did not appear in the high-security courtroom near Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for the trial and he was not represented by a lawyer.
He’s believed to be in Pakistan, which has no extradition agreement with the Netherlands.
Throughout the trial, Latif was not identified by name, but prosecutors said in a statement that a video posted online in 2018 showed a famous Pakistan cricketer offering the money for killing Wilders. Wilders himself identified the suspect as Latif.
“The court has now ruled that a long-term unconditional term of imprisonment is the only suitable punishment for these types of offenses,” a statement said.
Dutch lawmaker Wilders, who was present for the verdict, has lived under round-the-clock protection for years because of repeated threats to his life sparked by his fierce criticism of Islam.
The alleged bounty offer came after Wilders said he would organize a competition of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Many Muslims consider any depictions of Muhammad to be blasphemous. Ultimately, the contest did not go ahead, but the plan sparked outrage in the Muslim world.
An international warrant has been issued for Latif’s arrest. Dutch prosecutors have said that they had been trying to contact him since 2018, first as a witness and then to answer the charges. However, they said they hadn’t received any reply from the Pakistani authorities.
In 2017, Latif, 37, was banned for five years from all forms of cricket for his role in a match-fixing scandal in the Pakistan Super League.
veryGood! (158)
Related
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- This new Google Maps feature is game changer for EV drivers
- CBS News poll: Rising numbers of Americans say Biden should encourage Israel to stop Gaza actions
- New York City concerned about rise of rat urine-related illness and even death
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- OSBI identifies two bodies found as missing Kansas women Veronica Butler, Jilian Kelley
- Matthew Perry hailed for '17 Again' comedy chops: 'He'd figure out a scene down to the atoms'
- These are weirdest things Uber passengers left behind last year
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Caitlin Clark vs. Diana Taurasi, Finals rematch among 10 best WNBA games to watch in 2024
Ranking
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- U.S. Army financial counselor pleads guilty to defrauding Gold Star families
- Owner of ship in Baltimore bridge collapse asks cargo owners to help cover salvage costs
- Officer shot before returning fire and killing driver in Albany, New York, police chief says
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- We Promise Checking Out Victoria Beckham's Style Evolution Is What You Really, Really Want
- Breaking Down JoJo Siwa and Lil Tay’s Feud
- How Simone Biles Really Felt About Husband Jonathan Owens' Controversial Relationship Comments
Recommendation
Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
AP mock NFL draft 3.0: 8 trades, including 2 in the top 5 highlight AP’s final mock draft
A Washington State Coal Plant Has to Close Next Year. Can Pennsylvania Communities Learn From Centralia’s Transition?
Is Euphoria Season 3 Still Happening? Storm Reid Says…
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
Black immigrant rally in NYC raises awareness about racial, religious and language inequities
Federal judge denies request from a lonely El Chapo for phone calls, visits with daughters and wife
Influencer photographs husband to recreate Taylor Swift's album covers