Judges at the trial of MP Geert Wilders on charges of inciting hatred and discrimination are considering whether to recall a defence witness following newspaper allegations that he had been pressured by a court official.

De Pers newspaper on Friday reports on a dinner attended by Hans Jansen, a retired professor of Arabic studies, which was also attended by an Amsterdam appeal court judge.
The judge, Tom Schalken, was part of the court which in January 2009 ruled the public prosecution department should take Wilders to court.
During the dinner, Schalken tried to ‘convince me of the correctness of his decision to take Wilders to court,’ Jansen told the paper.
Court chairman Jan Moors said on Friday the judges would consider Wilders’ lawyer’s request to recall Jansen.
Last day
Friday is the last day of hearings. Lawyer Bram Moszkowicz told the court on Thursday the MP’s controversial statements are part of the right to free speech and the public debate.
The public prosecution department, which was forced to to take the case by the appeal court last year, has also said the MP should be found not guilty on all charges.
The judges will give their verdict on November 5.