This case is political and I find it a very cheap shot to attack a politician through the legal system rather then trying to win over voters in an honest way. I see absolutely no justification for this case against Wilders other then big sore losers from the opposition parties that can´t get votes any other way so they take a cheap shot like this to try to get Wilders out of the way. This will only backfire and Wilders will gain even more votes because of these bogus charges in this case. Justice will eventually prevail and Wilders will be acquitted.

By sandra | January 20, 2010 8:16 AM

No, Geert Wilders certainly should NOT be prosecuted !

What in the world is happening to Europe anyhow ? Have you lost all perspective on fairness ; have you no pride at all anymore ?

Geert Wilders is right when he says that Holland is being "Islamized". So are other European countries. All you have to do to understand why this is something of grave concern is to realize how terrible Sharia Islamic law is, and how it means religious tyranny for all of us. It is incompatible with democracy, and Islam is not doing anyone any good but Muslims, and some Muslims object also.

Geert Wilders is a couragious,insightful supporter of the free world and Western civilization. There should be more like him- he is a hero.

Some say there should "be a limit to free speech" . No, there shouldn't be- we should not confuse speech that expresses individual feelings or views with slander. Slander is lies. Free speech allows us to protest what we think is wrong. That is part of human rights in a free society.

By Denise Ward | January 20, 2010 8:33 AM

Once limits are imposed on freedom of speech that will be the end of it for good. If a person doesn't like what another says there are libel and slander laws where they can go to court and let a judge decide. Any limitations on speech is just another ride on that slippery slope to lose our rights all together.

By AW | January 20, 2010 9:42 AM

Daniel Pipes sums it all in his closing words:

‘The outcome of his trial and his freedom to speak have implications for us all’.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NjI0MTYxNjQxNThjMDQ0ZWU5ZTJiNDk4YzY4MWIxYTA=#more

The whole of the western civilised world are watching this farcical, unjust trial with baited breath, but I strongly believe that whatever the outcome, Geert will be the ultimate victor.

Best of luck Geert.

By Jim Millard | January 20, 2010 9:59 AM

What happend to one world.
Mr Wilders is a small minded pratt,
Get a life. And leave others life alone.

By Jo-Jo | January 20, 2010 10:17 AM

The issue is not political. It is not about Islamisation. It is not about 'freedom of speech'. It IS about whether Wilders has broken one of the laws of the land - the land he CHOOSES to live in, and wishes one day to preside over.

If he has broken a law - and 'inciting racial hatred' IS a law of the land in which he chooses to live - then he must stand trial. It is not freedom of speech which is on trial here (although remember that Wilders has prosecuted MANY people these last couple of years - including children - for using their freedom of speech against HIM). The trial is there to ascertain if his actions crossed the line and broke the law. The law is not up for debate, only whether Wilders believes he is greater than it.

As for him being a hero... pleassse... he's nothing of the sort and you are insulting real heroes by implying that he has made any personal sacrifice for the good of others - everything he does, he does for self-publicity. If he was a hero, he'd be in the middle-east, trying to help victims of extremism there. Here, he just wishes to create disharmony in his native land (and you think this is a good trait for a potential PM?)

Personally I'm happy that he's been cornered and will be made to justify himself without dictating which questions may or may not be asked (the reason he shirked away from a public debate here with moderate muslim groups). I hope the judge has the strength to keep the defendant on track, and focus the court on the points of the law - rather than letting it become a debate on Islam or whatever diversionary tactics the Blond One is planning to use.

By osita | January 20, 2010 10:19 AM

Anyone denying that Wilders isn't inciting hatred in The Netherlands needs their head checked. The Dutch state should take away his body guards and let's see if he maintains his rhetoric, I very much doubt it. He's a coward hiding behind his protection.

By Robbie | January 20, 2010 10:20 AM

I would like to say something here as a comment. But I am afraid and self-censoring myself.

Yet I would like to ask participants, if they would kindly allow me to say what I want to say? I just need to see if you are supporting freedom of speech for a foreigner like me.

Once I get your approval, I will write my statement.

Thank you.

By Hassan | January 20, 2010 12:02 PM

Hasson, freedom of speech is freedom of speech, you can say what you want as far as I am concerned, even if it is insulting. Freedom of speech should go both ways.

By sandra | January 20, 2010 1:00 PM

"Once limits are imposed on freedom of speech that will be the end of it for good."

Can you actually mention any country where freedom of speech is not limited at all?
Is there any developed country where I can publish a newspaper accusing you, for instance, of murder without any proof, and not being taken to court?
Is there any place where I can build up a public campaign caliming "KILL PERSON X, KILL PERSON X", with no legal consequences?

Freedom of speech if just one of the rights we have in the civilized world. When two rights clash, then they both have to be limited.

By miguel | January 20, 2010 2:03 PM

Yes sure lets say islam is not violent and then tell the guy who criticises is to leave his bodyguards out and then come say that. LOL.

And yes, instead of fixing his own country that is being islamized he should be helping some islamists in another random country that is not his homecountry.. thanks for completely missing the point.

I do enjoy these funny conversations. I hope I get to keep enjoying them before we are all islamized and this discussion is forbidden in the name of "free" speach or whatever makes the drones day.

By anonymous coward | January 20, 2010 2:28 PM

Psychologists say, haters have a sad life. Wilders is a hater (in my
opinion) and he is benefiting from it. It takes a lot (of energy) to
hate. Human migration is natural/evolutionary and we just have to
wisely deal with it. We can not just hate collectively a certain group
of people. It is not cheap to live peacefully at the cost of others.

The grass is greener on the other side and, unlike Wilders, we still
do have quite a few good/optimistic people around. Because of such
people, there is always hope and prosperity. These people have an
internal peace and their happiness is authentic. But I cannot imagine,
how Wilder's life is like; I don't think he has a peaceful
gentle-life. Obviously, he lives with constant fear and he has a very
restricted lifestyle/routine (with all the security all over him round
the clock). I feel sorry for him.

My opinion is, I think Wilders is a hater and I believe he
should be questioned/persecuted and taught what respect, tolerance and
love are. What I surely know is that I would never want to
be represented by such a 'sad' person. If he was a commoner, I
wouldn't care, and whatever he says wouldn't affect me. That's his
individual right. But if he is to be a public figure, he needs to
first know what a 'power-with-responsibility' is. He should know that
I wouldn't want to recruit an enemy because of him.

In my opinion, he is not a hero. Not even close. Heroism
is objective and, as far as I know, he did nothing like it. Lets not
demonize heroism and not insult real heros/heroins.

My motton is, life is short. Live and let others live.
Lets not waste it by hating a fellow mankind.

Peace and prosperity for all!

By rick | January 20, 2010 4:42 PM

What did Mr. Wilders do that the governement wants to imprison him?

He copied pages of a book that is available to the public. He also reproduced film about Islamic terror that has been shown throughout the world for years.

He said that if elected, he would close borders to islamic immigration. I don't see any hate there. It's an electoral issue. You don't like it, don't vote for him. That's all.

The question is WHO IS RESPONSIBLE for instituting a complaint that created this situation?

THIS IS A SAD DAY FOR FREE SPEECH.

By Susan | January 21, 2010 12:06 AM

Susan, don´t worry. wilders will be acquitted because he has not broken the law. Those with half a brain can see that this is a political witch hunt against Wilders. Free speech should be respected and the People of the Netherlands will not allow this to be taken from them so easily.

By sandra | January 22, 2010 7:01 AM