The trial of Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders was suspended until further notice after his lawyer Bram Moszkowicz challenged the presiding judge after less than two hours on the first day of the proceedings.
At the start of his trial on charges of inciting hatred against Muslims, Mr Wilders invoked his legal right to remain silent, which prompted the presiding judge to remark that the court also read newspapers and watched television, and that it seemed as though - as noted in the media before - Mr Wilders prefers to avoid discussion.
Mr Moszkowicz said it was inappropriate for the presiding judge to give his interpretation of his client’s decision to remain silent. He pointed out that Mr Wilders is already facing a court ruling “which resembles a conviction”. The case against the politician was initially dismissed by the Public Prosecutors’ Office, but charges were filed following a court order issued in a special complaints procedure. The court rejected the accusation of bias and will not recuse itself, i.e. will not declare itself incompetent to hear the case. A separate section of the court will assess the merits of Mr Moszkowicz’s challenge to the presiding judge.
Sick ideology
If convicted, Geert Wilders, who looks set to become a shadow partner in the next Dutch government, risks up to one year in jail or a 7,600-euro fine for calling Islam "a fascist ideology" and likening the Qur'an to Hitler's Mein Kampf.
He is charged with five counts of causing religious offence to Muslims and inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims and immigrants of non-Western origin, particularly Moroccans. In comments made between October 2006 and March 2008 in Dutch newspapers and on internet forums, prosecutors say that Wilders described Islam as "the sick ideology of Allah and Muhammad" and its holy book as "the Mein Kampf of a religion that seeks to eliminate others".
Fitna
Among the evidence is Mr Wilders' 17-minute film Fitna, which allegedly depicts Islam as a force bent on destroying the West and prompted protests in much of the Muslim world when first published in the Netherlands in 2008.
Geert Wilders arrived at the Amsterdam district court minutes before the start of the hearing. About a dozen protesters had gathered outside the court building with a large placard accusing him of "division and polarisation". A large contingent of police, some in riot gear, were also present. "The different colours of our society is what makes us rich, but that is being threatened by Mr Wilders," Mustafa Ayranci, one of the group's organisers and head of the Turkish labour association, told AFP.
Propping up the next government
Geert Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) emerged as the third largest part in the June elections, with 24 of the 150 seats in the lower house of the Dutch parliament. Under a coalition deal being finalised, the PVV will give parliamentary support to a minority cabinet of the Christian Democrats (CDA) and conservative VVD in return for a voice in policy making.
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Geert was initially barred from entering the UK, this was overturned at a later date and Fitna was shown in the House of Lords ,Geert was present. Further to Abdul-Salam's comments on declining tolerance in the Netherlands, I think he should address the situation in his own neck of woods before pointing the finger. The real intolerance in the Nederlands is shown attitudes in of certain groups towards homosexuals, Jews and women. Gay men have for decades visited Amsterdam, seeing it as 'Gay Mecca'. I don't think you'll be allowed to use that term in the future, probably seen as upsetting to over sensitive Moslems. The Netherlands indeed needs to reclaim it reputation for toleration, this means no longer tolerating the intolerant. Hup,hup Geert!
Hey-maybe those fellows will prosecute him, but I suspect that most of us in the USA view him as
a truthful Patriot. May he be blessed for standing up for basic goodness. It's about time somebody
had the stamina to do so.
The world is upside down. The shadow government of the NWO must be investigated. Islam is attempting to take over the world without firing a shot. Every "hate speach" legislation and "Discrimination" legislation is designed to put whites into fear of speaking there mind. Save your freedom and fight this evil that surrounds us. I pray that Mr. Wilders will be set free. FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT
For the sum of 7600 Euros, which can easily be raised internationally, Geert is better off limiting any potential of anything else the court can throw at him. No wonder the "silence strategy" then, when compounded with the advantage that nothing can be quoted against anything which may else be said in court by Geert in future. Take the dive, Geert, dummy up and walk out the courtroom door thanks to other people's donated money. Technically he shall have a criminal record, yet in the history of political science, Geert will be good company, although he would become a "junior member of the club", as he would not then have served any jail time. Be nice to the judges and take the easy way out.
"Take the dive, Geert, dummy up and walk out the courtroom door thanks to other people's donated money."....If you were accused of a crime and you know you didn't do it, would you "dummy up"? I hope not! Martin Luther King chose to go to jail before dumming up. Never take a dive for something you didn't do. Keep silent in court because the court will punish with your words. Make the tyrants prove their case and then let the world judge the Netherlands for it's crime against you. You are right and whatever you do, don't dummy up!
It is a positive step by Dutch people and judiciary to bring Geert Wilders to court to hold him responsible for risking Dutch image and good reputation, tolerance and popularity across Muslim world.
Remember how Wilders was denied entry to London when he wanted to go their in a response to an invitation extended to him by a British peer.
British is famous for their far-sighted vision, they could rightly anticipate a large-scale damage to British interests. It undisputable that the UK strongly advocates freedom of speech, but when it comes to British national interests, there is no room for freedom of expression.
Wilders reckless and uncalculated actions could get Dutch friendly people in unprovoked troubles. For decades, Dutch government has virtually built good relations with almost all Muslim nations. Netherlands is widely seen as the land of flowers and roses, Dutch people well known as peace loving, tolerance and multicultural society. Why such a self-centered politician should be allowed to defame that precious legacy.
In brief, well done by Dutch judiciary, now at least, Muslims around the world will know that not all Dutch people support Mr. Wilders, and his opinion is personal one. I'm sure not all who voted for him really anti-Islam, at least not in his provocative reckless style.
Abdul-Salam Al-Qarari
Yemeni journalist
"It undisputable that the UK strongly advocates freedom of speech, but when it comes to British national interests, there is no room for freedom of expression."........You are right! The British government has "no room" for freedom of expression. The British people who are non-immigrants ( just like the case with Wilders) have a strong sense of right and wrong and when they express their dislikes, their government comes down on them. The British government classifies the BNP as racists because the people speak out against the policies of the British government and how it treats them as second-class citizens. The British government is the cause and effect of the BNP. Had they treated all citizens as equal in the eyes of the law, they would not have the BNP, today. The BNP is the only hope for freedom for all Brits. { Wilders is in the dock because he saw the world burning and he saw the people who started the fire. He gave a description of the people burning the world and the evidence produced the M.O. of the people. The Brits didn't like his message and they denied him the freedom of travel within the EU. No it is not a positive step in a democracy because he has produced the evidence and the evidence (M.O.) reflects it.
In comments made between October 2006 and March 2008 in Dutch newspapers and on internet forums, prosecutors say that Wilders described Islam as "the sick ideology of Allah and Muhammad" and its holy book as "the Mein Kampf of a religion that seeks to eliminate others"."........Isn't the ideology the foundation and the justification of the Jihadists terrorism? How many people have the European courts prosecuted for speaking-out against their perception of the "sick ideology" and the "Holy Book" of the Pope and Catholic church? None! Wilders trial is warning to anyone who speaks out against the powers to be in the EU. For them to put the masses in check, they have to curtail the freedom of speech. He will be punished with a financial fine and his case will be the foundation and justification to punish anyone who speaks out against the state.
This trial is utterly hypocritical. If it is unacceptable to offend Muslims then why is it acceptable for the court to insult Mr Wilders by declaring his statements to be criminal. What if Mr Wilders statements are actually the true description of Islam anyway? The facts of this evil cult, the evil-filled Quran itself, make clear that he is indeed telling the truth. Why is it legal only to tell lies about Islam? If Holocaust denial is a crime how much greater a crime is Jihad Denial of the many millions killed at instigation of that fascist evil book and still being killed around the world right now. Wilders deserves a Nobel Prize for honesty rather than a trial. If only we could have such a hero over here in the UK.
This trial is utterly hypocritical. If it is unacceptable to offend Muslims then why is it acceptable for the court to insult Mr Wilders by declaring his statements to be criminal. What if Mr Wilders statements are actually the true description of Islam anyway? The facts of this evil cult, the evil-filled Quran itself, make clear that he is indeed telling the truth. Why is it legal only to tell lies about Islam? If Holocaust denial is a crime how much greater a crime is Jihad Denial of the many millions killed at instigation of that fascist evil book and still being killed around the world right now. Wilders deserves a Nobel Prize for honesty rather than a trial. If only we could have such a hero over here in the UK.
It is a positive step by Dutch people and judiciary to bring Geert Wilders to court to hold him responsible for risking Dutch image and good reputation, tolerance and popularity across Muslim world.
Remember how Wilders was denied entry to London when he wanted to go their in a response to an invitation extended to him by a British peer.
British is famous for their far-sighted vision, they could rightly anticipate a large-scale damage to British interests. It undisputable that the UK strongly advocates freedom of speech, but when it comes to British national interests, there is no room for freedom of expression.
Wilders reckless and uncalculated actions could get Dutch friendly people in unprovoked troubles. For decades, Dutch government has virtually built good relations with almost all Muslim nations. Netherlands is widely seen as the land of flowers and roses, Dutch people well known as peace loving, tolerance and multicultural society. Why such a self-centered politician should be allowed to defame that precious legacy.
In brief, well done by Dutch judiciary, now at least, Muslims around the world will know that not all Dutch people support Mr. Wilders, and his opinion is personal one. I'm sure not all who voted for him really anti-Islam, at least not in his provocative reckless style.
Abdul-Salam Al-Qarari
Yemeni journalist
It is the time for the Dutch Govt to initiate an enquiery about the judge who ordered the trial. The cicumstacial evidence clearly say the judje is corupted and might have recieved millions from Saudi sponcered jihadi money. If their will be a conviction on The Great Geert, The saint of freedom of speech then it will be the crucification of truth. The judge will be known as Panthious Pilathos of modern day and Europe will go back to dark ages. May God bless freedom of speech.
You have the best lawyer and I just know you will be aquitted Mr. Wilders! This trial is a political witch hunt!!!!!!!!!!!!!