Geert Wilders' Trial Opens Today

The trial of Dutch politician Geert Wilders for making remarks 'offensive to Islam' opened today in Amsterdam.

Prosecutors charge that Wilders incited hatred against Muslims by making remarks comparing Islam to Naziism, saying it is a threat to democracy and by calling for the Qu'ran to be banned in the Netherlands, just as Hitler's Mein Kampf is. Wilders says he has a right to freedom of speech and his remarks did not violate Dutch law.

It's interesting that the AP article compares Wilders with anti-Semitic fascist politicians like Jorg Haider in Austria and Jean-Marie Le Pen in France. In reality, Wilders has almost nothing in common with them, espousing freedom and democracy and being a strong supporter of Israel. His real stance is simply anti sharia and anti jihad.

Wilders is also famous (or infamous, depending on your view of the matter) for making the film "Fitna", which juxtaposed quotes from the Qu'ran with scenes of Islamist terrorism. Wilders made the film after Dutch film maker Theo Van Gogh was murdered in the streets of Amsterdam by a Muslim for making "Submission" a film about the plight of Muslim women.



In reality, Wilders has already won his argument where it counts. In the last election his 'Freedom Party' ran on a platform of curbing Muslim immigration, cutting welfare benefits to immigrants and placing restrictions on radical Islam. It became the third largest in the Netherlands and a coalition partner to the new center right Dutch government, which has pledged to carry out much of the Freedom Party's agenda.

The trial itself, which involved significant judge shopping by Wilders' left wing opponents was designed to silence and intimidate Wilders. It's already failed to do so.

In fact, Wilders' lawyer, Bram Moszkowicz has already taken the step of challenging Chief Judge Jan Moors for judicial prejudice because Moors had made biased comments against Wilders in a TV interview.

"This shows, as far as I'm concerned, signs of partisanship," said Wilders, speaking before a special body to deliberate on questions of judicial prejudice. "With a chief judge like this and this court, an honest trial isn't possible."

If the special body rules in Wilders' favor and recuses Moors, the entire case against Wilders would be halted and could not begin until new judges were found.

If convicted, Wilders faces up to a year in prison. He would not lose his seat in parliament.

This is a major tipping point in Europe.

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