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Wilders' trial for inciting hatred starts (update)Wednesday 20 January 2010 Geert Wilders' testimony will take so long to be heard at his trial for inciting hatred and discrimination, that he should be first heard in private by another judge, the public prosecutor said on the first day of hearings on Wednesday. Outlining the prosecution case, lawyer Birgit van Roessel said initial extensive questioning about all Wilders' statements would place 'a major burden' on the court. In addition, the hearing will take place in front of a large audience who may react to his statements, she said. So it must be asked if the hearing can take place 'in the desired order and calm', she told the court. The leader of the anti-Islam PVV party faces several charges of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims, Moroccans and non-Western immigrants. Procedures Today's hearing is a procedural one to determine which when the main sessions will be held and who will be called as witnesses. The hearings will resume on February 3, after judges have considered the opening arguments of both sides and decided on the witness roster. Van Roessel said the prosecution only plans to call Wilders to the stand. She called on the judges to suspend the trial until Wilders has been interviewed by an investigating judge. The results of those interviews would then be added to trial documents and the case could continue. Witnesses Wilders' lawyer Bram Moszkowicz began his defence by calling on judges to halt the trial, arguing the public prosecution department had wrongly brought the case against the MP. He also called for the trial to be moved to the Hague, because that is where Wilders works. The MP wants to call 17 witnesses including criminal law professor Theo Roos, several radical imams and Mohammed Bouyeri - the man who murdered film maker Theo van Gogh. Wilders has described Bouyeri as 'living proof' that Islam inspires people to violence. During his opening statement, Moszkowicz said Wilders maintains that he spoke the truth. His statements must be seen in the context of political and social debate, the lawyer said. Not guilty? Earlier, Nos tv reported that the public prosecution department is considering asking the court to find Wilders not guilty. Sources told the tv station the department is not convinced Wilders' statements break the law. Today's case has been forced to court by anti-racism campaigners after the department said it would not prosecute him. Should Wilders be prosecuted for inciting hatred? Take part in our poll © DutchNews.nl Get the DutchNews.nl newsletter in your mailbox: Click here to subscribe
Mr.Geert Wilders should not only be prosecuted for inciting hatred in our beautiful country,besides this he should be tried under the charges as 'Security Risk for the State of the Netherlands and Public'. It's a day like known fact that his victory in the Local Council and shortly those of the Parliament, would mean a chaos and polarisation. I have nothing personal against Mr.Wilders but as an politician I do have a gulf of differences with him,and I very honestly feel that even he should be bard from participation elections. Our country and our nation deserves better and not a violent society. Lijsttrekker Nederlandse Moslim Partij By Khalid Ahmed Chaudry | January 20, 2010 5:12 PM 1) Even a broken clock is right twice a day By Janka | January 20, 2010 6:37 PM I thought the netherlands was a free society? Wilders can say what he pleases. If it is that offensive, then people have become way too sensitive. Government should not be involved in every aspect of personal opinion. By Robert | January 21, 2010 12:22 AM Geert Wilders is not a violent person!! Some of what he says is out there, but a lot of what he says is FACT. He makes some very good points. He has my vote for sure! I am sure he has the vote of most people living in Colembourg, I am really sure they would love to live in a (violent free society) as some have posted here... I think this clock is right more then twice a day!!! By DR | January 21, 2010 7:10 AM "Postings which contain racist, sexist or homophobic language or which insult other correspondents will not be published." By AC | January 21, 2010 4:12 PM It is an obvious political witch hunt. Those Politicians that try to bring down another politician is lower then the lowest of scum. Wilders will be acquitted and those who brought this case up will be investigated for character assassination. By sandra | January 22, 2010 5:35 AM It is so very sad to see such a noble leader who is so farsighted about the looming and pending dangers in the horizon that would one day soon envelope not only Holland but the whole of Europe. It is even sadder that he is on trial accused of things he is not doing. ALL HE IS TRYING TO DO IS SAVE EUROPE AND KEEP IT CHRISTIAN. IS THAT SO DETRIMENTAL TO WORLD PEACE. To all the people who are trying to get Wilders prosecuted, I HAVE one question to ask. "What is so very wrong in trying to stop Holland from being turned into another Morocco or Algeria where the original Dutchman and woman will no longer able to speak with the same freedom that the Moroccans and Algerians are enjoying now. By malawimega | January 26, 2010 4:02 AM |
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Friday: Sunny spells and max 19 º with showers possible in far north. A sunny, dry weekend
Everyone should have their freedom of religion, culture, thought, opinion, expression, speech, etc. But as long as Wilders tries to deny others their freedoms, I don't think it's bad that he has his freedoms also questioned. He is totally hypocritical.
I'm afraid this trial, much like Wilders politics, will only further divide people and cause more problems between cultural groups. Still, I think it's good he has a taste of his own medicine.
I wish this country would get rid of all insult type laws (including blashphemy, insutling the queen, banning books, etc.) that are not clearly defamation (vilification, slander and libel). Nobody has a "right to be unoffended", including Wilders by Muslims, Moroccans and non-Western immigrants!
By Quest | January 20, 2010 5:02 PM