A Dutch court on Monday sentenced former Pakistan international cricketer Khalid Latif to 12 years in prison for urging the murder of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders.

Latif, 37, had offered 21,000 euros ($22,500) for the head of Wilders in an online video after the firebrand lawmaker sought to arrange a competition for cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

"It was not a stretch to think that somebody around the world would have taken heed of the call to kill Mr Wilders," presiding judge G. Verbeek told the court.

"The accused knew this and his call fuelled the fire to have Wilders killed."

It is extremely unlikely that Latif, who was convicted in absentia, will serve his sentence. Dutch authorities have sought in vain to question Latif over the case and requested legal assistance from Pakistan, also to no avail.&nbsp;

"It's a good sentence, but it's a pity that the accused is not here in court," Wilders told reporters outside, sporting his trademark peroxide hairdo.

"It is no longer acceptable that the Pakistani authorities refuse to cooperate. I am going to ask the prime minister to ensure that Khalid Latif is arrested in Pakistan and extradited to the Netherlands," he added.

Wilders cancelled the cartoon contest after protests broke out in Pakistan and he was inundated with death threats. He has been under 24-hour state protection since 2004.

In the Netherlands, the plan to stage the contest was criticised widely with politicians, local media and ordinary citizens slamming the idea as needlessly antagonising Muslims.

But the call to kill Wilders appeared to resonate in the real world, with a Pakistani man sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2019 for plotting his assassination in the wake of the cancelled contest.

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Judge Verbeek said Latif's video was not just an attack on Wilders personally, but also on the concept of free speech in the Netherlands.

Latif played five one-day internationals and 13 T20 internationals for Pakistan but was banned from cricket for five years in 2017 for spot-fixing in a Pakistan Super League match in Dubai.

His last Pakistan appearance was against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi in September 2016.

However, Verbeek said that Latif had benefitted from his fame as an international cricketer to "add oil to the fire" at a time when the Netherlands was already the target of several threats.&nbsp;

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A Dutch court on Monday sentenced former Pakistan international cricketer Khalid Latif to 12 years in prison for urging the murder of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders.

A Dutch court on Monday sentenced former Pakistan international cricketer Khalid Latif to 12 years in prison for urging the murder of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders. Latif, 37, had offered 21,000 euros ($22,500) for the head of Wilders in an online video after the firebrand lawmaker sought to arrange a competition for cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. "It was not a stretch to think that somebody around the world would have taken heed of the call to kill Mr Wilders," presiding judge G. Verbeek told the court. "The accused knew this and his call fuelled the fire to have Wilders killed." It is extremely unlikely that Latif, who was convicted in absentia, will serve his sentence. Dutch authorities have sought in vain to question Latif over the case and requested legal assistance from Pakistan, also to no avail. "It's a good sentence, but it's a pity that the accused is not here in court," Wilders told reporters outside, sporting his trademark peroxide hairdo. "It is no longer acceptable that the Pakistani authorities refuse to cooperate. I am going to ask the prime minister to ensure that Khalid Latif is arrested in Pakistan and extradited to the Netherlands," he added. Wilders cancelled the cartoon contest after protests broke out in Pakistan and he was inundated with death threats. He has been under 24-hour state protection since 2004. In the Netherlands, the plan to stage the contest was criticised widely with politicians, local media and ordinary citizens slamming the idea as needlessly antagonising Muslims. But the call to kill Wilders appeared to resonate in the real world, with a Pakistani man sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2019 for plotting his assassination in the wake of the cancelled contest. ALSO READ | Asia Cup: Yuvraj was in a different league, Hardik & Jadeja aren't quite there - Manjrekar makes big claim Judge Verbeek said Latif's video was not just an attack on Wilders personally, but also on the concept of free speech in the Netherlands. Latif played five one-day internationals and 13 T20 internationals for Pakistan but was banned from cricket for five years in 2017 for spot-fixing in a Pakistan Super League match in Dubai. His last Pakistan appearance was against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi in September 2016. However, Verbeek said that Latif had benefitted from his fame as an international cricketer to "add oil to the fire" at a time when the Netherlands was already the target of several threats. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ex-Pakistan cricketer Khalid Latif gets 12 years for inciting murder of Dutch MP

A former Pakistani international cricketer went on trial Tuesday in the Netherlands for allegedly attempting to incite the murder of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders, with prosecutors demanding a 12-year sentence if convicted.

Dutch public prosecutors said Khalid Latif, 37, who remains in Pakistan, had offered 21,000 euros ($23,000) in an online video 2018 in which he called for Wilders' killing.

The outspoken MP at the time cancelled a competition for cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed after angry demonstrations broke out, particularly in Pakistan, and the far-right politician was inundated with death threats.

Khalid "Latif tried to move others to murder Mr Wilders and to avenge the cartoon contest," prosecutor F. A. Kuipers told the judges.

"Not only was his goal to end a human life with violence, but with his appeal he tried to silence a Dutch representative," she said at a court hearing, held at a high security courthouse near Schiphol airport.

"Calling for a murder to prevent the cartoon competition and offering a sum of money to kill the organiser of that competition should be very severely punished as far as the Public Prosecution is concerned," Kuipers added, before asking for a 12-year sentence.

Neither Latif, nor any lawyer were present in the courtroom.

The Pakistani embassy in The Hague had no comment directly after the hearing and Latif could not be immediately reached for comment.&nbsp;

Kuipers said prosecutors have tried since 2018 to speak to the cricketer and handed over a request to Islamabad for legal assistance, to no avail.

The Netherlands does not have a treaty regarding legal assistance with Pakistan, she said.

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"The questions we have for Latif remain unanswered," Kuipers said.

Wilders, who was in court during the hearing, told the judges death threats on his life increased after his plans to stage the controversial cartoon competition.

Known for his firebrand comments about Islam, Wilders has been under 24-hour state protection since 2004.&nbsp;

But "whatever you find of the cartoon competition, there is no reason to put a price of death on somebody's head for it," Wilders said.

Addressing Latif personally, Wilders said "your call to have me murdered will never silence me."

The verdict is due to be handed down on September 11.

Latif 37, who played five one-day internations and 13 T20Is for Pakistan, was banned from cricket for five years in 2017 for spot-fixing in a Pakistan Super League match in Dubai.

He completed his ban last year and has since been living a low-profile life in Karachi, coaching at club level.&nbsp;

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A former Pakistani international cricketer went on trial Tuesday in the Netherlands for allegedly attempting to incite the murder of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders, with prosecutors demanding a 12-year sentence if convicted.

A former Pakistani international cricketer went on trial Tuesday in the Netherlands for allegedly attempting to incite the murder of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders, with prosecutors demanding a 12-year sentence if convicted. Dutch public prosecutors said Khalid Latif, 37, who remains in Pakistan, had offered 21,000 euros ($23,000) in an online video 2018 in which he called for Wilders' killing. The outspoken MP at the time cancelled a competition for cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed after angry demonstrations broke out, particularly in Pakistan, and the far-right politician was inundated with death threats. Khalid "Latif tried to move others to murder Mr Wilders and to avenge the cartoon contest," prosecutor F. A. Kuipers told the judges. "Not only was his goal to end a human life with violence, but with his appeal he tried to silence a Dutch representative," she said at a court hearing, held at a high security courthouse near Schiphol airport. "Calling for a murder to prevent the cartoon competition and offering a sum of money to kill the organiser of that competition should be very severely punished as far as the Public Prosecution is concerned," Kuipers added, before asking for a 12-year sentence. Neither Latif, nor any lawyer were present in the courtroom. The Pakistani embassy in The Hague had no comment directly after the hearing and Latif could not be immediately reached for comment. Kuipers said prosecutors have tried since 2018 to speak to the cricketer and handed over a request to Islamabad for legal assistance, to no avail. The Netherlands does not have a treaty regarding legal assistance with Pakistan, she said. ALSO READ | Dhoni groomed them and handed over to Kohli: Ishant Sharma on smooth transition of Indian bowlers "The questions we have for Latif remain unanswered," Kuipers said. Wilders, who was in court during the hearing, told the judges death threats on his life increased after his plans to stage the controversial cartoon competition. Known for his firebrand comments about Islam, Wilders has been under 24-hour state protection since 2004. But "whatever you find of the cartoon competition, there is no reason to put a price of death on somebody's head for it," Wilders said. Addressing Latif personally, Wilders said "your call to have me murdered will never silence me." The verdict is due to be handed down on September 11. Latif 37, who played five one-day internations and 13 T20Is for Pakistan, was banned from cricket for five years in 2017 for spot-fixing in a Pakistan Super League match in Dubai. He completed his ban last year and has since been living a low-profile life in Karachi, coaching at club level. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan ex-cricketer Khalid Latif on trial in Dutch MP threat case

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday summoned fast bowler Mohammad Sami before its anti-corruption tribunal for questioning in the ongoing probe into the Pakistan Super League (PSL) spot-fixing scandal.

Sami, 36,&nbsp;who plays for the Islamabad United in PSL, was asked to appear before the tribunal over&nbsp;a match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi during the second edition of the league in Dubai in&nbsp;February.&nbsp;

Soon after the allegations surfaced, a three-member team was formed to probe the case which involved Islamabad United batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif.

Earlier in August, the tribunal had slammed a five-year suspension on Sharjeel and Latif after they were found guilty in the spot-fixing incident.

Left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Irfan and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz were also suspended for twelve and two months&nbsp;respectively, for not reporting the corrupt practice to the PCB.

Shahzaib Hasan and Nasir Jamshed are other players in spot-fixing case.&nbsp;

Sami was asked to appear in relation to a match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday summoned fast bowler Mohammad Sami before its anti-corruption tribunal for questioning in the ongoing probe into the Pakistan Super League (PSL) spot-fixing scandal. Sami, 36, who plays for the Islamabad United in PSL, was asked to appear before the tribunal over a match between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi during the second edition of the league in Dubai in February. Soon after the allegations surfaced, a three-member team was formed to probe the case which involved Islamabad United batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif. Earlier in August, the tribunal had slammed a five-year suspension on Sharjeel and Latif after they were found guilty in the spot-fixing incident. Left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Irfan and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz were also suspended for twelve and two months respectively, for not reporting the corrupt practice to the PCB. Shahzaib Hasan and Nasir Jamshed are other players in spot-fixing case.

Mohammad Sami summoned in Pakistan Super League spot-fixing case

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Ex-Pakistan cricketer Khalid Latif gets 12 years for inciting murder of Dutch MP

Pakistan ex-cricketer Khalid Latif on trial in Dutch MP threat case

Mohammad Sami summoned in Pakistan Super League spot-fixing case