DutchNews.nl - MPs want answers on cartoonist arrest

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MPs want answers on cartoonist arrest

Wednesday 21 May 2008

Justice minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin has asked the public prosecution department to explain why cartoonist Gregorious Nekschot was held at a police station for 30 hours after his arrest on charges of inciting racial hatred.

The minister told MPs he wanted more information during an emergency debate on the arrest on Tuesday night. The debate was postponed pending Hirsch Ballin's report.

Nekschot was arrested on Tuesday and held overnight in the cell after using his right to silence. MPs from all sides have criticised the arrest for being out of proportion to the alleged crime. Eight cartoons have been singled out as potentially insulting to Muslims and 'people with dark skins' or encouraging racial hatred.

Hirsch Ballin denied the arrest was connected to recent efforts to extend blasphemy laws.

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Readers' comments

Arrested over a cartoon? How low can you stoop? Why doesn't the law focus on real criminals like rapist, murders and thieves?

By sandra | May 21, 2008 7:31 PM

This country is starting to sound a lot like "The United States of The Offended". You cannot have freedom of speech and put people in jail for excercising their right to freedom of speech. In Holland, I guess you can.

By Tim Lee | May 22, 2008 3:52 PM

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