Geert Wilders Suspends Campaign Events Due to Terror Threat

Geert Wilders has decided to cancel his public campaign events ahead of the upcoming elections, following reports indicating he was targeted by an Islamist terrorist group based in Antwerp.

This week, Belgian authorities arrested an 18-year-old of Moroccan descent and a 23-year-old Chechen. They are suspected of plotting terrorist attacks against several officials, including Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Weber and Antwerp Mayor Els van Doesburg, in addition to Wilders.

According to reports, police found homemade explosives at the residence of the 18-year-old suspect, who was studying defense and security, while a 3D printer was discovered in the 23-year-old’s home, where he was researching cybersecurity.

Belgian officials noted that the group was suspected of planning “a jihadist-inspired terrorist attack targeting politicians,” as reported by De Telegraaf.

On Friday, Wilders, whose Freedom Party (PVV) is currently leading in the polls ahead of the elections scheduled for October 29, stated he was suspending his campaign due to safety concerns.

Wilders mentioned that the Dutch National Security and Counter-Terrorism Coordinator (NCTV) had confirmed his status as a target of a planned attack. He expressed a mix of resignation and alarm, stating, “In 21 years of intimidation and security measures, this is not the first time something like this has happened to me, but it shocks me every time.” While the NCTV did not expect a lingering threat, he admitted he felt uneasy about the situation.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schuch commented on the matter, emphasizing that politicians should be able to work safely in the Netherlands. He expressed concern that Wilders felt compelled to halt his campaign and noted that coordinated efforts are underway to ensure the safety of campaign activities and elections, which are crucial for democracy.

As a prominent critic of Islamic extremism and Muslim immigration, Wilders has faced threats over the years, living under 24-hour security for two decades.

In 2019, a Pakistani national named Junaid Iqbal was convicted of a plot against Wilders and received a ten-year sentence. Additionally, last year, Imam Muhammad Ashraf Asif Jalali was sentenced in absentia for issuing a death warrant against Wilders.

Reflecting on his life under constant security, Wilders remarked that he and his wife have been living in various safe houses for the past two decades, which has taken a toll on their privacy and freedom.