A Dutch court has convicted anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders of hate speech, a ruling that he branded a politically motivated “charade” and a “big loss for freedom of speech.”

Presiding Judge Hendrik Steenhuis said Friday the court would not impose a sentence because the conviction was punishment enough for a democratically elected lawmaker. Prosecutors had asked judges to fine him $5,300.

Prosecutors had said Wilders overstepped the limits of free speech by specifically targeting Moroccans.

In a tweet, Wilders said his conviction of discrimination and inciting hatred against Moroccans was “insanity” and said the three judges who handed down the ruling were “haters” of his populist far-right Freedom Party (PVV).

He had denied the charges and insisted he was performing his duty as a political leader by pointing out a societal problem in the Netherlands.

Before declaring Wilders guilty, Steenhuis said freedom of speech was not on trial as Wilders had claimed during the case.

Wilders was not in court for the verdict that came just over three months before national elections.

PVV is currently narrowly leading in national polls and has risen in popularity during the trial.

In 2011, Wilders was acquitted at yet another hate speech trial for his outspoken criticism of Islam.
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