Dutch prosecutor urges fine for anti-Islam lawmaker Wilders

FILE - In this Thursday, April 9, 2015 file photo Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-Islam Freedom Party, holds a sign reading "No Hate Imams in the Netherlands" in Utrecht, central Netherlands. Dutch prosecutors have begun summing up their case against populist anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders in his hate-speech trial that pits freedom of expression against the Netherlands' anti-discrimination laws. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 file photo Dutch firebrand Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders gets into his car in the center of Spijkenisse, near Rotterdam, Netherlands. Dutch prosecutors have begun summing up their case against populist anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders in his hate-speech trial that pits freedom of expression against the Netherlands' anti-discrimination laws. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) (The Associated Press)

Prosecutors are asking a Dutch court to convict populist anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders and fine him 5,000 euros ($5,360), saying he deliberately insulted and incited hate against Moroccans.

The politically charged trial centers on comments that Wilders made before and after the Dutch municipal elections in 2014. At one meeting in a Hague cafe, he asked supporters whether they wanted more or fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands. That sparked a chant of "Fewer! Fewer! Fewer!" — to which he replied "we'll take care of it."

Prosecutor Wouter Bos said Thursday that the court should "send a clear signal that statements like these do not belong in the Netherlands."

Wilders has branded the case a political trial and is refusing to attend. The verdict is scheduled for Dec. 9.