Wilders inciting hatred trial continues, defence in spotlight

The trial of MP Geert Wilders on charges of inciting hatred and discrimination continues on Monday with representatives of 17 organisations who feel insulted or offended by Wilders outlining their complaints.


On Friday, the public prosecution department said Wilders should be found not guilty on all counts.
The department was forced to take the case by the high court after anti-racism campaigners protested at its refusal to prosecute Wilders.
Koran
Prosecutors Birgit van Roessel and Paul Velleman reached their conclusions after a careful reading of interviews with and articles by the anti-Islam politician and a viewing of his anti-Koran film Fitna.
They said comments about banning the Koran can be discriminatory, but because Wilders wants to pursue a ban on democratic lines, there is no question of incitement to discrimination ‘as laid down in law’.
Dealing with the charge of incitement to hatred, Van Roessel and Velleman said some comments could incite hatred against Muslims if taken out of context, but if the complete text is considered, it can be seen that Wilders is against the growing influence of Islam and not against Muslims per sé.
The organisations who lobbied for the department to take the case said at the weekend they are still hoping the judges will find Wilders guilty. The case is due to be wrapped up this week with judges announcing their verdict in early November.
Mentor
Meanwhile, Frits Bolkenstein, who led the VVD when Wilders was a member, told a tv show on Sunday the former party worker had become ‘totally radicalised’ because of the isolated position he now finds himself in.
‘Every politician who finds himself in isolation becomes more radical,’ Bolkestein said, arguing it would have been better if Wilders had stayed in the party. Wilders left the VVD in 2004 because of disagreements over Turkish membership of the EU.

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