Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is set to face trial in the Netherlands following a Dutch court ruling that seven plaintiffs who claim to have experienced adverse effects from COVID-19 vaccines may proceed with their lawsuit. Filed against Gates and several other prominent figures, including former Dutch Prime Minister and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, the case alleges the defendants misled the public about vaccine safety during the pandemic, citing Gates’s affiliations with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Economic Forum’s “Great Reset” initiative.
The plaintiffs argue that the vaccine promotion campaign was part of a larger agenda encouraging the adoption of what they label as “unsafe” vaccines. Gates is accused of making public claims about vaccine efficacy, including assurances of reduced virus transmission and fewer severe symptoms, claims which the plaintiffs say were misleading. Despite attempts by Gates to dismiss the case on jurisdictional grounds, the court has moved forward, instructing him to cover legal fees of approximately $1,500 within 14 days. A new hearing is set for November 27, 2024.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a global philanthropic entity, has also recently pledged significant funds to help African manufacturers produce mRNA vaccines, the technology behind many COVID-19 shots. However, this trial adds to ongoing debates around Gates’s influence over public health policies, particularly in Africa.