The Jehovah’s Witnesses stood before the Ghent criminal court on Tuesday for inciting hatred towards some ex-members. The various parties are now given time to prepare their pleas. The case will be heard on February 16, 2021.

Originally posted in Dutch on Nieuwblad.be by Simon Dekaezemaker

For a period of five years, the court investigated complaints from ex-members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. They testified about how they were rejected by order of the organization and became completely isolated socially.

The Ghent prosecutor’s office already sued the Jehovah’s Witnesses in June, but the case was then postponed. On Tuesday, the case against the Jehovah’s witnesses was reopened. The deadline for conclusion has been set and pleadings will take place on February 16, 2021. A dozen people already presented themselves as disadvantaged parties. According to the defense of the ex-members, this number will only increase.

Four charges have been placed before the non-profit religious organization. First and foremost, inciting discrimination based on religious beliefs against a person and against a group. In addition, inciting hatred or violence towards a person and towards a group.