Former Belgian MP Dries Van Langenhove received a prison sentence

According to the news in the national press, the verdict of the case in which Van Langenhove was tried on the grounds that he made racist and anti-Semitic comments in the messaging group of the far-right youth movement called “Schild & Vrienden” (Shield and Friends), which he founded in 2018, was announced.

The court ruled that Van Langenhove, as the founder of the “Schild & Vrienden” movement, “incited hatred and racism” and sentenced the former MP to 1 year in prison, a fine of 16 thousand euros and to be banned from elections for 10 years. In addition, Van Langenhove received a 10-month suspended sentence for the sale of pepper spray.

In court, the defense side described the statements used by the youth movement members in the messaging group as “harmless jokes”, while the judge stated that the statements in question were “denying and belittling the Holocaust”.

Drawing attention to Van Langenhove’s leading role in the youth movement, the judge noted that the former MP “had criminal behavior that contributed to hatred and violence.”

Van Langenhove’s lawyer announced that they would appeal the conviction and said, “We will appeal immediately. The only good thing about this case is that this judge will retire soon.” he said.

The Ghent city prosecutor’s office announced in February 2023 that Van Langenhove would be put on trial while he was elected from the list of the far-right Vlaams Belang party and served as an independent deputy in the federal parliament. Van Langenhove was accused of making racist and anti-Semitic comments in the messaging group of the youth movement “Schild & Vrienden” in 2018.