Court rules that group chat “jokes” are actually hate speech of “Nazi ideology…white supremacy” and that group chats constitute a public forum, sentencing former Flemish MP to prison handed down the verdict.
The Ghent Criminal Court sentenced former parliamentarian Dries van Langenhove to a year in prison and a 10-year ban from holding public office, ruling that she was “infatuated with Nazi ideology” and “sought to undermine a democratic society.” It was banned for a year and the following orders were issued: Pay a fine of €16,000 ($17,500/£13,700).
The founder and leader of Schild & Vrynden, a Flemish nationalist youth organization that advocates independence for the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders from the rest of Belgium, was involved in Facebook, public broadcaster VRT reported in 2018. It was reported in the year. A group that shared allegedly racist memes and messages and expressed sympathy for Nazi ideology. Belgium, like many European countries, has criminal penalties for denying or celebrating the Holocaust.
“The defendant is infatuated with Nazi ideology, and in his practice has caused and continues to cause untold human suffering. “It shows an attempt to replace it with a social model of doctrine,” the court said. Said according to Het Raaste Neuus.
Mr van Langenhove’s lawyers argued during the trial that many of the messages shared in the group were just jokes, but the court was not convinced by this argument and found that the use of humor was not enough for those sharing the jokes. He claimed that it helped solidify racist beliefs among the people.
“The Forum repeatedly and systematically ridiculed groups on the basis of so-called race, color, nationality, national or ethnic origin or descent, presented negative images of these groups or communities, and insulted them.” ” the court added. .
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The former member of the Belgian Chamber of Deputies also argued that because the messages were shared within a private group, he cannot claim that they openly incite racism, discrimination, segregation or hatred against others. did. However, the court found that the private Facebook group had approximately 750 members and therefore could be considered a substantive public forum.
Mr van Langenhove’s political party, Vlaams Belang, chairman, Tom van Grieken shouted The verdict: “The Belgian judiciary is thoroughly rotten. Rape a 13 and 15 year old child? 1 year with conditions. Want to share an offensive ‘meme’? Valid for 1 year…this is day one It was a political process. ”
Dutch political activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek also harshly criticized the ruling. write On social media, people said, “This is the absolute state of free speech in Europe. They are jailing patriotic dissidents. I will.
“I’m really speechless here. This is complete tyranny and we should fight this with all our might.”
Some expressed joy at the decision, including Green Party co-chair Nadia Nagy, who said: “This judgment is an important victory for everyone fighting for fair opportunities for all…The Green Party will never condone or normalize racism. Because it’s something to be blamed for.” And it hurts. ”
