Geert Wilders Trial

Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:25 pm » by **zinzana**

politician Geert Wilders appealed for freedom of expression Monday and then exercised his right to silence as he went on trial for alleged hate speech at a time when his popularity and influence in the Netherlands are near all time highs.

Prosecutors say Wilders incited hatred against Muslims with remarks comparing Islam to Naziism and by calling for a ban on the Quran. Wilders argues he has a right to freedom of speech and his remarks were within the bounds of the law.

"I am a suspect here because I have expressed my opinion as a representative of the people," Wilders told judges at the start of the trial.

"Formally I'm on trial here today, but with me, the freedom of expression of many, many Dutch people is also being judged," he said, referring to more than 1.4 million voters who made his party the country's third-largest in June elections.

If convicted he could face up to a year in jail, though a fine would be more likely. He could keep his seat in parliament regardless of the outcome.

After defending freedom of speech in his opening statement, Wilders refused to answer any questions from judges.

When presiding judge Jan Moors said it appeared Wilders was "avoiding discussion" Wilders' lawyer Bram Moszkowicz said that showed Moors is biased and moved to have him substituted.

The move will delay the trial for at least several hours while a separate panel considers the request.

Wilders swept into the Amsterdam District Court complex in a police convoy and waived to supporters as he walked into the courtroom at the start of a trial scheduled to last seven days.

Wilders' party has agreed to support a new conservative Dutch government likely to take office this month. In return, his political allies have promised to carry out much of his anti-immigration agenda.

The Wilders-supported government to be installed as early as this week intends new measures to reduce acceptance of asylum-seekers and cut immigration from nonwestern countries in half, notably by making it difficult for foreign spouses or children to join families that have already immigrated and become Dutch citizens.

It also plans to force new immigrants to pay for their own mandatory citizenship classes.

Immigration-related issues have dominated politics in the Netherlands and much of Europe over the past decade. Wilders has drawn comparisons with populists such as the late Jorg Haider in Austria and Jean-Marie Le Pen in France.

His stances resound deeply with Dutch voters, who have reconsidered their famous tolerance amid fears their own culture is being eroded by immigrants who don't share their values. Around six percent of the Dutch population is now Muslim.

Among Wilders' many remarks at issue in the trial, an editorial in newspaper De Volkskrant stands out.

"I've had enough of Islam in the Netherlands; let not one more Muslim immigrate," he wrote in the paper. "I've had enough of the Quran in the Netherlands: Forbid that fascist book."

The flamboyant bleach-blond politician has also called for taxing clothing commonly worn by Muslims, such as headscarves - or "head rags," as he called them - because they "pollute" the Dutch landscape.

He may be best known for the 2008 short film "Fitna," which offended Muslims around the world by juxtaposing Quranic verses with images of terrorism by Islamic radicals.

In a sign of the emotions at stake in Wilders' political rise, Naziism is invoked on both sides of the issue. Wilders compares the growth of Islam influences in the Netherlands to the rise of Nazi ideology, while Wilders' critics say his anti-foreigner rhetoric is reminiscent of Hitler.

A handful of anti-Wilders protesters gathered outside the court behind a banner reading "fascism rules," with a Dutch pun on Wilders' name.

Mohamed Rabbae, chairman of the moderate National Moroccan Council, said outside the court that he hoped judges would force Wilders to issue an apology for his past remarks.

"We are not for getting Mr. Wilders in prison. We are for correcting him," he said.

The case has generated huge interest in the Netherlands and the opening was broadcast live on television.

Convictions for discriminatory remarks are frequent in the Netherlands, but penalties are rarely greater than a small fine.

Prosecutors were initially reluctant to bring Wilders' case to court, saying his remarks appeared directed toward Islam as an ideology rather than intended to insult Muslims as a group.

But they were eventually ordered to do so by a judge.

Prosecutors won't rule out dropping some or all charges or demanding no sentence when the trial comes to its concluding phase. A verdict is expected Nov. 4.

cbsnews.com

Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:28 pm » by **Mayafan**

just another zionist puppet well payed by israel
to start a razia against the muslims.
divide and conquer.
also perfect timing with the falls terror threads
in europe.
another falls osama bin l video.
people are waking up they dont buy it anymore here in holland.
:sunny:

Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:35 pm » by **Ogmios**

If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all. ~Noam Chomsky

It's a complex issue. This guy's probably a holocaust denier too - at least in private. He must have thought he could get away with these statements. The words "Nazi" and "Fascist" are perhaps two of the most misused words in the English language. Personally I don't see how muslims could be compared to Nazis but either you're free to say what you think or you're not.

Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:44 pm » by **zinzana**

how dare anyone start a razia against the muslims

Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:56 pm » by **Mayafan**

tell that to the thiefs of lands and human lives
who destroy the middel east and pretty much the rest of the world.
they ,the real terrorists have no room for the free speech of man,
by controling the media the news papers the judges and the lawyers.
tell them they dont alow freedom of speech.

Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:58 pm » by **Ogmios**

The same argument could be used in the case of holocaust deniers, could it not? What threat are muslims to this guy? In my opinion, he's hiding behind freedom of speech. People should spend less time worrying about the beliefs of others and, instead, try to respect people who are from different backgrounds.

Mon Oct 04, 2010 1:13 pm » by **zinzana**

how many chrches are they in saudi arabia mister freedom of speech?
and you are complaining lack of freedom of speech for musslims in europe?
you gots to be fucking kidding me right

Mon Oct 04, 2010 1:21 pm » by **Lapislazuli**

Zinzana's Trial
A video from Zinzana's private collection: :look:

Mon Oct 04, 2010 1:27 pm » by **Ogmios**

zinzana wrote:how many chrches are they in saudi arabia mister freedom of speech?
and you are complaining lack of freedom of speech for musslims in europe?
you gots to be fucking kidding me right

To be honest Saudi Arabia can arrange their society as they see fit. Your playing to the same old xenophobic tendencies as that guy in the video. Sharia law is not going to happen here, fact.

and you are complaining lack of freedom of speech for musslims in europe?

I am? Strange how you didn't mention Iran - which has a sizable jewish population who are free to practice as they see fit or Lebanon whose christians are sort of in power. And if the Saudis are so damn bad, then why did America just do a massive weapons deal with them? Britain did a huge arms deal with the Saudis too; in fact, at the time, the British deal was the biggest sale of anything to anyone, anywhere.

Mon Oct 04, 2010 1:32 pm » by **Mayafan**

every one have the right to say what he or she wants
but no one has the right to insult another person or group.
freedom of riligion is at stake here.
the etnic clensing has already begun .
firts the roma and next the muslims??
i smell nazis :bang;