Dutch judge sticks up for free speech, but Jordan determined to get Wilders

Fitna, the short feature film on Islam and violence put together by MP Geert Wilders does not break the law, the Dutch public prosecution department said on Monday. In addition, a number of statements about Islam made by Wilders over the past few months are also within legal limits, Amsterdam's chief public prosecutor Leo de Wit said.

Fitna, a 16-minute compilation of video footage, was released on the internet on March 27. An article in the Volkskrant newspaper in which Wilders called for a ban on the Koran was also investigated. Some 40 individuals and largely Muslim organisations have accused Wilders of encouraging religious hatred. According to NOS, no action is being taken against Wilders because he attacks Islam as a religion but not its followers. While his comments are “sometimes offensive”, Wilders does not overstep any boundaries, the public prosecution department said.

Meanwhile, Jordan has charged Geert Wilders with blasphemy and summoned him to appear for trial in Amman. Mr Wilders says that he doesn’t have to abide by the law of “banana republics” like Jordan. In response, the Jordanian authorities say that if Wilders does not turn up for the hearings, they will ask Interpol to arrest him and bring him before the court.

See also:
Jordan’s legal jihad against free speech

04 July 2008