In a landmark ruling, the Netherlands has sentenced Pakistani Imam Muhammad Ashraf Asif Jalali to 14 years in prison for issuing a fatwa calling for the murder of Dutch populist leader Geert Wilders.
In a significant legal decision, a Dutch court in The Hague sentenced 56-year-old Pakistani Imam Muhammad Ashraf Asif Jalali to 14 years in prison for issuing a fatwa against Geert Wilders, the leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV) in the Netherlands. Jalali’s fatwa was linked to Wilders’ role in promoting controversial cartoon contests depicting the Prophet Mohammed, which sparked outrage among radical Islamist groups.
The court ruled that Jalali had issued the death warrant with terrorist intent and aimed to increase its reach by delivering the call in English, making it accessible to an international audience. Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that the court concluded Jalali’s followers likely took the fatwa seriously, further heightening concerns about potential violent action against Wilders.
The ruling also saw 29-year-old Saad Hussain Rizvi, leader of Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) group, sentenced to four years in prison for issuing death threats against Wilders. Rizvi, who is known for his radical Islamist views, was found guilty of inciting violence, although the court stopped short of finding him guilty of direct terrorist intent.
Despite the convictions, both Jalali and Rizvi are currently in Pakistan, a country that does not have an extradition treaty with the Netherlands, raising concerns about whether they will ever serve their sentences. Geert Wilders has since called for an international arrest warrant to be issued, hoping the men will eventually be brought to justice.
“This is a pure victory,” Wilders said, celebrating the court’s decision. “I now hope the Dutch government will do everything it can to ensure they serve their sentences.”
*** Breaking News ***
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) September 9, 2024
Pakistani imam @DrJalaliTLY who put a fatwa on my head to kill me was sentenced today for terrorism by a Dutch Court to 14 years in prison and TLP-leader and Emir @Saad_RizviTLP was sentenced to 4 years in prison!
Those two criminals have to be arrested… pic.twitter.com/33ZySl1VJs
Wilders, a staunch critic of radical Islam, has faced death threats for nearly 20 years due to his outspoken views. The Dutch politician and his wife have been forced to live under constant security, moving between safe houses to avoid assassination attempts. Despite the risks, Wilders remains committed to defending freedom of speech in the Netherlands and across Europe.
“I will never be silenced. Fatwas, death threats, the Taliban, ISIS—nothing will stop me from speaking the truth,” Wilders wrote in a recent op-ed for Breitbart. He has long advocated for a free society where critical speech is protected, even if it challenges deeply held beliefs.
This sentencing marks the first time an imam has been convicted in connection to issuing a fatwa against a European politician. While it is unclear if the men will face prison time, the ruling sends a strong international message that threats against public figures will not go unpunished.
This is not the first instance of Islamist violence aimed at Wilders. In previous cases, other Pakistani nationals were sentenced to prison for plotting to assassinate the populist leader. Junaid Iqbal was sentenced to 10 years for planning an attack, while former Pakistani cricket captain Khalid Latif received a 12-year sentence for offering a bounty on Wilders’ life. Both men remain in Pakistan, shielded from extradition.
As global concerns about political violence continue to grow, Wilders’ case highlights the enduring challenges of protecting free speech while addressing threats from radical actors.
