Geert Wilders, the anti-Islam politician, told a Dutch court that he stood by his opinions that the Koran is a “fascist book” and Islam is as dangerous as Nazism, as he went on trial for inciting racial hatred.
The flamboyant, peroxide blond MP, who holds the balance of power in the Netherlands after coming third in recent national elections on an anti-Muslim platform, told judges that he had no regrets over the comments.
Mr Wilders is being prosecuted for describing the Koran as “fascist” and for comparing it to Adolf Hitler’s book Mein Kampf, a text that is banned in the Netherlands.
In March 2008, he released a film called Fitna, Arabic for Strife, which linked the verses in the Koran to anti-Semitism, terrorist attacks in New York and London and urged that, like Nazism, “Islamic ideology has to be defeated”.
Prosecutors pointed to a series of quotes and remarks he has made in recent years. In one opinion piece he wrote: “I’ve had enough of Islam in the Netherlands; let not one more Muslim immigrate,” adding “I’ve had enough of the Koran in the Netherlands: Forbid that fascist book.”
Last year, the Dutch Court of Appeal ruled that, despite the case being dropped by prosecutors, that it considered “criminal prosecution obvious for the insult of Islamic worshippers” being compared to Nazis.
Mr Wilders faces five charges of inciting racial hatred between Oct 2006 and Mar 2008. If found guilty, Mr Wilders faces over a year in prison or a £6,600 fine.
Speaking at his trial yesterday, Mr Wilders said: “I am sitting here as a suspect because I have spoken nothing but the truth. I have said what I have said and I will not take one word back.”
Throwing down an open challenge to the court, Mr Wilders, 47, attacked the three judges sitting in the Amsterdam court for prosecuting him for “stating my opinion in the context of public debate”.
“I can assure you, I will continue proclaiming it,” he said.
However, proceedings were suspended for 24 hours, after Mr Wilders demanded that the court’s presiding judge be replaced.
After an opening statement by Mr Wilders, Bram Moszkowicz, his lawyer told the court that the defendant would exercise his right to silence and would not answer questions during the trial.
Jan Moors, the presiding judge then noted that Mr Wilders has been accused of being “good in taking a stand and then avoiding a discussion” of the issue. “By remaining silent, it seems you’re doing that today as well,” he said.
Attacking “scandalous” remarks, Mr Wilders and his lawyers asked for the court to be dissolved. “With this presiding judge and such a panel of judges, a fair trial isn’t possible anymore,” he said.
If the court rules in favour of the objections, new judges will need to be appointed, delaying proceedings.
He also accused the Dutch authorities of putting on trial the 1.5 million voters who backed his anti-immigration Freedom Party (PVV) during June elections, making Mr Wilders a kingmaker in Dutch politics.
He and his party’s 23 other MPs have lent their support to a minority conservative government in return for key policy concessions, such as a Dutch burka ban and new curbs on immigration.
“I am on trial, but on trial with me is the freedom of expression of many Dutch citizens,” he said.
Mr Wilders launched his political crusade against Islam after resigning from the centre-right VVD party in 2005 over its support for EU membership for Turkey.
He then polarised the country by making the first European call for full Islamic dress to be banned. In 2005, he was given police protection after the exposure of an Islamist terrorist plot on his life.
This is a good stunt for Geert Wilders. It brings his dislike of Islam into the mainstream media therefore the following objectives will be reached: –
1. He will be given a ‘living martyr’ status therefore increase his popularity
2. His vitriolic hatred for Islam will become part of the mainstream establishment and not just part of the right wing rhetoric
3. The notion of ‘political correctness’ will be under the spotlight and forced to shift in the direction of being more critical of Islam.
Ultimately, Geert WIlders is in a win-win situation and the Muslim community there will be further stigmatized.
The antics of a buffoon in the courtroom of this World. Eventually, he will be dragged to his REAL TRIAL in the presence of His Majesty (swt).
“I do call to witness the Resurrection Day; And I do call to witness the self-reproaching spirit; (Eschew Evil). Does man think that We cannot assemble his bones? Nay, We are able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers. But man wishes to do wrong (even) in the time in front of him. He questions: “When is the Day of Resurrection?” At length, when the Sight is dazed, And the moon is buried in darkness. And the sun and moon are joined together – That Day will Man say “Where is the refuge?” By no means! no place of safety! Before thy Lord (alone), that Day will be the place of rest. That Day will man be told (all) that he put forward, and all that he put back. Nay, man will be evidence against himself. Even though he were to put up his excuses. Move not thy tongue concerning the (Qur’an) to make haste therewith. It is for Us to collect it and to promulgate it: But when We have promulgated it, follow thou its recital (as promulgated): Nay more, it is for Us to explain it (and make it clear): Nay, (ye men!) but ye love the fleeting life, And leave alone the Hereafter. Some faces, that Day, will beam (in brightness and beauty) – Looking towards their Lord; And some faces, that Day, will be sad and dismal, In the thought that some back-breaking calamity was about to be inflicted on them; Yea, when (the soul) reaches to the collar-bone (in its exit). And there will be a cry: “Who is a magician (to restore him)?” And he will conclude that it was (the Time) of Parting; And one leg will be joined with another: That Day the Drive will be (all) to thy Lord! So he gave nothing in charity nor did he pray! But on the contrary, he rejected Truth and turned away! Then did he stalk to his family in full conceit! Woe to thee, (O man!) yea, woe! Again woe to thee, (O man!) yea, woe! Does Man think that he will be left uncontrolled, (without purpose)? Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (in lowly form)? Then did he become a clinging clot; then did (Allah) make and fashion (him) in due proportion. And of him He made two sexes, male and female. Has not He, (the same) the power to give life to the dead?
[TMQ: (The Rising of the Dead, Resurrection) Surah Al-Qiyamah, 75:1-40].