Call to drop racism charges

AMSTERDAM: A lawyer for Dutch politician Geert Wilders yesterday argued for dismissal of hate speech charges against the far-right lawmaker for calling for a reduction in the number of Moroccans in the Netherlands. Wilders, who leads in polls ahead of national elections on March 15, faces a fine of up to 7400 (R11 3176) and a year in jail for discrimination and inciting racism.