What is it like to be at the centre of the hate speech trial of Dutch politician Geert Wilders? Bertus Hendriks, Middle East specialist and former Radio Netherlands Worldwide journalist seems determined not to let the pressure get to him. “I was pretty relaxed. I've got nothing to hide.” But now his testimony could bring the most important free speech trial in Dutch legal history crashing down.
A dinner Mr Hendriks hosted last spring could result in the whole case against Mr Wilders being thrown out on a technicality. At that dinner, a judge allegedly tried to influence an expert witness called to testify on behalf of Geert Wilders at his trial.
What does Mr Hendriks think about the allegation that a witness was tampered with?
“I feel that this is one big soap bubble, the so-called influencing a witness. When people really look at the facts, that soap bubble will burst.”
The court has just spent two full days hearing testimony about details that appear irrelevant to such a major freedom of speech case; details like how many bottles of wine were drunk at that fateful dinner.
Spanner in the works
But Wilders’ high-profile lawyer Bram Moszkowicz has a formidable reputation for legal manoeuvring. He knows exactly how to use finer points of the law to throw a spanner in the works and how to use the media to help his cause.
Mr Hendrik’s crucial role at the trial is even more remarkable considering that his name did not even feature on the list of witnesses requested by Mr Moszkowicz to give testimony on the alleged witness tampering. The judges were the ones who wanted to include the host of the dinner.
But that didn’t stop Mr Wilders’ lawyer from interrogating Mr Hendriks with verve and even asking the judges to consider perjury charges against him when he appeared to give contradictory testimony.
What did the witness think when he heard Mr Moszckowicz accuse him of perjury?
“It took me a minute before I understood what he was talking about. I was totally flabbergasted. In God’s name, how can I have committed perjury?”
Sent packing
In the end, the three judges hearing the case decided not to honour Mr Moszkowicz’s request for a perjury investigation. The lawyer then seized on the judges' decision as grounds for challenging their objectivity.
This is the third time Mr Moszkowicz has brought such a challenge in the Wilders trial. His second attempt was successful and resulted in the judges being replaced.
We will have to wait until Monday to see if Wilders’ legal team succeeds in sending another panel of judges packing. But how does Mr Hendriks, a seemingly innocent bystander, feel about the possibility that his testimony could bring the most-watched trial in the country crashing down?
“I wouldn't care. The irony is that almost everyone at our dining club thought the Wilders trial shouldn’t go ahead. If it's thrown out as a result of the dinner, I won't lose any sleep. I won't shed a tear.”
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Back on topic.
When are Schalken, Hendriks, and the instigators of the show trial of the century going to go on trial?
Geert Wilders is one of the few politicians to have what it takes to speak up against the Islamic fanaticism and it's trying to impose it's 7th century backward religious laws and lifestyle on free societies. They are the last thing Europe's small and unique countries need. Geert is an outstanding man, and has more courage than any of Europe's weak, weak so-called leaders. They have caved in to Muslims and Islamism. Do you in Europe really want and need more burquas, mosques, and religious extremism in your countries ? Face the reality of it all and quit pretending it's fine and right that you apoligize for every Muslim complaint and let them impose their demands on you. You don't have to be the suckers Islamics are making of you. They are laughing up their sleeves at you . Their united and ultimate goal is to dominate the non-Muslim countries. So far they are moving right along and getting their way. You need more courageous men like Wilders. He's absolutely right. He's the Winston Churchill of our times. Ask yourselves this : why do you want/need Islamists in your country ? What have they got to offer ? What can they do for you besides get free handouts from your government ? Get some backbone and help Geert stop the huge flood of Muslim immigrants running over your democratic world. If something isn't done now Europe is going to be Islamized in 20 years. Geert knows this. Listen to him.
In the USA they have freedom OF speech; here in Europe we have freedom FROM speech.
I have such a deep profound hatred for europe and its people it makes poly toynbee's anti-American rant published in the telegraph shortly after 9/11 look like a love letter.
WATCH THIS THEN LOOK AT YOUR EUROPEAN BROTHERS
Europe united against Islam - PI NEWS
www.youtube.com
Why do europeans have the such long goofy looking faces? And what is with for the George Washington wig???
The further away from a monkey the better;)
This trial has been ordered by the woman shown to the right of this article. She doesn't like Wilders and wants him out of the political arena, not because he is anti-Islam, but because he is against the unchecked expansion of the power of the EU, an expansion much like the former Soviet Union, which she has vowed to establish with the help of her D66 and Bilderberg friends.
Houteklomp, are you referring to the Queen?
Probably referring to the one making mud houses. Clearly a dangerously influential hippie. Glad I could help.
Dutch nationals are involved in the fighting in Libya and other conflict areas across North Africa and the Middle East.
In its annual report, the Dutch national security service (AIVD) writes that Dutch Muslims are still travelling to the Afghan-Pakistani border region to receive training for the Jihadist struggle. There have also been contacts between the Netherland and international terrorist networks. These contacts involve both individuals meeting face to face as well as meetings via internet forums.
The AIVD concludes that Chinese intelligence services have increased their activities in the Netherlands. The service writes that the Chinese are spying on technology professors and high-tech companies. Trade secrets have reportedly been stolen....RNW news
And still Wilders is on trial..
I remember what the Dutch did in Bosnia. 20,000 dead at their watch in a single day.
This trial is a disgrace and never should have happened ! Wilders must win this battle- if he doesn't freedom is going to go downhill--it's an important trial . And listen to Geert-- he knows what he's talking about . Islamic culture is not compatible with democratic cultures and as it's become now it feels like it's almost FORCED on us. That's because we've become so afraid of "offending" either Muslims or those who are always crying about Muslims always being victims - how about thinking of what we need for once ? Listen to Geert- he's an unusualy couragious and insightful man. Wake up Holland and appreciate him.
This trial is a disgrace and never should have happened ! Wilders must win this battle- if he doesn't freedom is going to go downhill--it's an important trial . And listen to Geert-- he knows what he's talking about . Islamic culture is not compatible with democratic cultures and as it's become now it feels like it's almost FORCED on us. That's because we've become so afraid of "offending" either Muslims or those who are always crying about Muslims always being victims - how about thinking of what we need for once ? Listen to Geert- he's an unusualy couragious and insightful man. Wake up Holland and appreciate him.
Your comment shows a complete lack of understanding of anything you described, which is the way puppets communicate, especially clueless ones.
I laugh every time I hear a left wing American insist that europe is more "free" than the US. Of course europe is more free---as long as you're on the left, don't disagree with the state, and puppet the party line in power. Sure, it's free. Just ask Wilders how free it is. LOL!
Mort a l'europe!
I feel free. War has been extinguished in this part of the world. If I wish, I can walk confidently through what's considered to be the nastiest part of the city I live in. At night. Without a firearm to protect me. Can you?
The American slagging of Europe stems from embarrassment and jealousy.
JW, have you ever considered that the reason why western europe has been "war free" the past 75 years might have something to do with the presence of the US military and the US tax payer dumping trillions into defending you? Is it merely a coincidence that Europe has enjoyed its most peaceful period in its entire existence at the same time 100,000 US soldiers are stationed on your soil?
Very nice. Those 100 000 are here to stop 1.8 million EU troops from attacking each other? Or is it to stop the 2 million evil commie troops from the East? Nothing to do with protecting American strategic and energy interests, right?
Nice reply, straight out of the anti-American playbook. Next you'll tell us how it was the US that ignited the Holocaust, a theory already widely diseminated throughout europe today. Any wonder why Americans loathe europe more and more. Your continent is dead. Even India is surpassing you. You line up for the US ipads and iphones, yet you spit in the face of all things Americans. You are hypocrites, liars, and you have so much blood on your hands it would take Americans another 500 years to catch up.
The US didn't ignite the Holocaust. Nobody thinks that, except you maybe. Sad to hear the news of our continent being dead. With the economy rebounding and people so happy and comfortable, things seemed OK. I'll have to take your word for it. India's doing well also? Good for them! I don't begrudge them improved circumstances. It's not a contest. Do you begrudge them that? What's that got to do with Europe?
Blood on our hands. The wars that happened 70 years ago in western Europe have not recurred since the formation of the EU. That´s a good thing. Speaking of modern history, I don't remember the last time Holland invaded for frivolous or fallacious reasons. (UK-Falklands, US-Iraq) Do you? I´m not against the US or UK, just those who slag Europe for without good reason.
The EU has hurdles ahead, to be sure, but its citizens and the world in general will be far better off if it is successful. The protection of human rights is foremost among the reasons why.
The EU is an economic/political pact, not a miltary one. What happened 70 years ago has been prevented since the formation of NATO in 1949. The EU formed later within the region of the military pact.
Economic/political vs miltary. That's a point of debate. Both are alliances among disparate countries. But the economic/political one truly creates an interdependence among its members. Would you discount entirely a country's desire for economic well-being as a reason not to invade its neighbour? I wouldn't. I would place it forefront among reasons.
There was no point of debate. EU followed NATO. That was a significant fact that you had overlooked.
keep living with your head up your ass
Despite what you see on American TV shows, 95% of US cities are far safer to walk through at night than your european cities which are completely wracked with scary gangsters and youth thugs. 95% of Americans do not walk around with guns. Unlike in the netherlands where you apparently walk around with AK-47s and like to use them on innocent shoppers. That's when you're not raping and killing American tourists in your colony of Aruba.
War extinguished in your part of the world? A mere 200 miles across the sea there's been a war going on for 100 years. You ever heard of Northern Ireland? You ignored Bosnia (but then again, considering what the dutch did to the innocent people there, perhaps it was best that you did). What do American have to be jealous of europe? Your facscism? You massive taxes? Your unassimilated immigrants? Your riots? Your inability to improvise or create new technologies? The fact that even India is leaving europe in the dust? LOL! Americans jealous of europe!! LOL!
If NL is overrun with murder, why is the per capita rate only 1/4 that of the US? If dangerous thugs are such a problem here, why is the assault rate 1/3 that of America's? I'll agree that Americans feel free. But I would posit that true freedom is related to security and safety outside the walls of our houses. That, and a high standard of living, is the sort of freedom Dutch people enjoy.
Bosnia is a perfect example showing why we need organizations like the EU. Accepting international law is one of the prerequisites for joining this league. When countries are held accountable for their actions, they are far less likely to slaughter their citizens. As the EU spreads outward, so does peace and stability. How is that not a good thing?
You are 100% correct on your assessment of the European society.
Your comment shows a complete lack of understanding of anything you described, which is the way puppets communicate, especially clueless ones.
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