Far-right activist Dries Van Langenhove sentenced to one year in prison
The Ghent Correctional Court has sentenced far-right activist Dries Van Langenhove to one year in prison for violating the racism and negationism law. He was also given a 10-month suspended sentence for violating the weapons law, deprived of his civil rights for 10 years and fined 16,000 euros.
An investigation began in September 2018, after a report by VRT's Pano programme showed that racist and antisemitic messages were shared in secret chat groups of the far-right activist group Schild & Vrienden.
In June 2019, its leader, Van Langenhove, was officially placed under suspicion of negationism, racism and breaking weapons laws.
"Van Langenhove (...) involved the other accused in his racist, hateful, Nazi and negationist discourse, with which he set people against each other," the judge said. "He showed (...) contempt for fundamental values and rights. He creates a hostile atmosphere in society. He contributes to antagonism, discord and conflict and encourages physical and psychological violence. All this indicates a particularly dangerous attitude."
"Van Langenhove (...) involved the other accused in his racist, hateful, Nazi and negationist discourse"
Six other defendants were also found guilty of racist offences. Van Langenhove's right-hand man received an eight-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 8,000 euros. Four others received a six-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 8,000 euros, half of which was suspended. A final defendant received a suspended sentence with conditions, including an escorted visit to the Kazerne Dossin Holocaust museum and documentation centre in Mechelen.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER
Related news
