Dutch filmmaker in court over anti-Islam hate speech

Dutch filmmaker in court over anti-Islam hate speech

www.google.com

Dutch far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders on Wednesday appeared in an Amsterdam court for the first time in connection with charges of inciting racial hatred against Muslims.

Wilders, who has compared the Koran to Hitler's Mein Kampf, "has always made his statements in his capacity as a public representative," his lawyer Bram Moszkowicz argued at the start of the hearing, held amid heavy security.

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
news.google.com

Important extract from the article:

But prosecutor Birgit van Roessel said that "expressing his opinion in the media or through other channels is not part of an MP's duties." Lawmakers only enjoy immunity for their utterances when these are made in the confines of parliament.

Wilders faces five charges of religious insult and anti-Muslim incitement after a court last week dismissed his final challenge against the pending prosecution.

He stands accused of insulting Muslims by describing Islam as a fascist religion and calling for the banning of the Koran.

He is also charged with inciting hatred and discrimination for stating that Moroccan youths were violent, calling for Dutch borders to be closed to all "non-western immigrants", and advocating an end to what he terms "the Islamic invasion."

I don't think he will be convicted at all, this is just an eye wash what can be said toying with phony legal system. It all comes down to what is freedom of speech and when it starts blurring with hate speech.

www.google.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

reply to post by December_Rain


Everything about this guy just screams trouble, IMHO!!!

But to say that he won't be convicted....i am not to sure. Remember Daniel Féret from the Belgian Front National? He lost his voting rights (and thus ending his political career) for 10 years after similar expressions of hatred towards foreigners.

The case will probably end up before the European Human Rights Court. And hopefully a similar conviction.....

Peace

PS: may i suggest changing the title of this thread from "dutch filmmaker" to "dutch politician". It would really make more sense.

[edit on 21/1/2010 by operation mindcrime]