Anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders, set to become a shadow partner of the next Dutch government, defended the right to free speech Monday as his trial for inciting hatred against Muslims made a halting start. "I am on trial, but on trial with me is the freedom of expression of many Dutch citizens," Wilders, 47, told the Amsterdam district court before seeking his three judges' recusal for bias, thereby causing the suspension of the hearing.
The controversial politician with his signature shock of dyed-blonde hair risks up to a year in jail or a 7,600-euro fine for calling Islam "fascist" and likening the Holy Quran to Hitler's "Mein Kampf". He is charged with five counts of giving religious offence to Muslims and inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims and people of non-Western immigrant origin, particularly Moroccans, in comments made between October 2006 and March 2008 in Dutch newspapers and on Internet forums.
Among the exhibits is Wilders' 17-minute film, "Fitna", alleged to depict Islam as a force bent on destroying the West and whose screening in the Netherlands in 2008 prompted protests in much of the Muslim world. He told the court that apart from his opening statement he would rely on his right to remain silent and would not answer any questions. "I have said everything I wanted to say and will not take back a single word," the politician said.
Wilders later claimed that presiding judge Jan Moors had reacted to his vow of silence in a way that suggested partiality. Interrupting the trial, a panel of three other judges was hastily convened to consider this application. Judgment will be handed down at 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) on Tuesday. Judgment is expected on November 4.
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