This was a political sham from the get go concocted by a dhimmis to curry favor with muslims. Geert Wilders only "crime" was speaking the truth about Islam. Interesting no matter how vile or hate-filled muslim demonstrations and speeches are - no one drags them up infront of a tribunal or court for hate speech. Muslims clearly have protected status in the West - paving the way for EuroMed?
Let's hope this ruling helps to clear the way for open and honest debate and reaction to the onslaught muslims are conducting against our culture, laws and way of life.
Anti-Islamist politician Geert Wilders cleared by Dutch court of inciting hatred
Last updated at 11:25 AM on 23rd June 2011
Right-wing politician Geert Wilders was today cleared by a Dutch court of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims.
The court in Amsterdam ruled that Mr Wilders' anti-Islam statements, while offensive to many Muslims, fell within the bounds of legitimate political debate.
Presiding judge Marcel van Oosten said the politician's claims that Islam was violent by nature and his calls to halt Muslim immigration and ban the Koran must be seen in a wider context over immigration policy.
Not guilty: Dutch right-wing politician Geert Wilders was today acquitted of charges of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims
'Free speech': Mr Wilders had claimed the charges against him were politically-motivated and said an 'enormous burden' had been removed from his shoulders with the ruling
He also ruled that Mr Wilders' public statement could not be directly linked to increased discrimination against Dutch Muslims.
Mr Wilders did not react as the verdict was read out, but supporters in the public gallery hugged one another and clapped after his acquittal.
One of the most powerful and popular politicians in the Netherlands, Mr Wilders was accused of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims through numerous public statements and with insulting them by comparing Islam with Nazism.
He said outside court: 'I'm incredibly happy with this acquittal on all counts.
'It's not only an acquittal for me, but a victory for freedom of expression in the Netherlands.
'Fortunately, you're allowed to discuss Islam in public debate and you're not muzzled in public debate. An enormous burden has fallen from my shoulders.'
High profile: Mr Wilders, one of the most popular politicians in the Netherlands, was given a police escort to the hearing in Amsterdam
The court found that Mr Wilders' rhetoric was 'on the edge of what is legally permissible', but not illegal.
The judge described statements about a 'tsunami' of immigrants as 'crude and denigrating', but legally legitimate given the wider context and his acknowledgement that those who integrate are acceptable and do not call for violence.
In speeches, written articles and a short film that incited riots around the Muslim world, Mr Wilders said Islam is an inherently violent religion, and he compared the Koran to Hitler's Mein Kampf - an especially sensitive image because of the large number of Dutch Jews handed over to the Nazis in World War Two.
Mr Wilders argued that his statements represented the views of millions of Dutch voters, that they were protected by freedom of speech law and that the court was biased against him.
He also claimed the charges were politically-motivated.
Thank God the Dutch had a bout of common sense, for a change. Good result for Mnr Wilders. Good result for all normal people.
Posted by: john in cheshire | June 23, 2011 at 03:30 PM
Hartelijk gefeliciteerd, mnr Wilders!
It is a shame and a travesty of justice that it even came to this.
The rights of native Dutch people have been upheld.
Posted by: Hoekom Jy My Haat | June 27, 2011 at 06:26 PM
"In speeches, written articles and a short film that incited riots around the Muslim world, Mr Wilders said Islam is an inherently violent religion,"
Case proven, yet again!
(That fact BY ITSELF should have ensured Wilder's aquittal.)
How dumb is it when Muslims are charged with following a religion that is and promotes violence that they react with ... violence.
Posted by: jonmc | June 30, 2011 at 04:44 PM
Seems people are beginning to be allowed to voice their opinion without being labelled racist
Posted by: Manchester | July 07, 2011 at 04:09 PM
It is a shame and a travesty of justice that it even came to this.
The rights of native Dutch people have been raped! hate this things.
Posted by: NY | July 09, 2011 at 08:51 PM
I thank you humbly for sharing your wisdom!
Posted by: Milton | October 09, 2011 at 06:19 AM