15 October 2010

Is Geert Wilders "Free at last?"

The announcement from The Public Prosecutor office in the Netherlands will be sweet music to all those rooting for Geert Wilders undergoing the equivalent of a show trial in the Amsterdam District Court. Perhaps soon we may hear the refrain from the negro spiritual frequently invoked by the late Martin Luther King: "“Free at last; free at last; thank God Almighty we are free at last. [The Iconoclast] Read more

Dutch prosecutors seek acquittal of anti-Islam MP Dutch prosecutors sought anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders's acquittal on five hate speech charges Friday, saying his criticism of the Muslim religion, though hurtful to some, was not criminal.

"Criticism (of religion) is allowed," prosecutor Birgit van Roessel told the Amsterdam district court as she and a colleague took turns to tell the court: "We ask for his acquittal" on each of five charges on the indictment. It would be hurtful to many Muslims when Wilders calls for a ban on the Koran," she said. "But the feelings of this group can play no role in determining the facts of the case.” [The Iconoclast] Read more