Dutch court orders prosecution of anti-Islam lawmaker

21/01/2009| IslamWeb

The court overruled the public prosecutor who did not prosecute Wilders, whose film "Fitna" and statements were protested by Muslims for spreading hateful feelings against them.

 

"The Amsterdam appeals court has ordered the prosecution of member of parliament Geert Wilders for inciting hatred and discrimination, based on comments by him in various media on Muslims and their beliefs," the court said in a statement.

 

The Amsterdam Appeals Court decision means prosecutors will now have to launch a hate-speech case against Wilders for his statements in the interviews and a short film.

 

"The court also considers appropriate criminal prosecution for insulting Muslim worshippers because of comparisons between Islam and Nazism made by Wilders," the statement said.

 

"I am shaken. I had absolutely not expected it," Dutch news agency ANP quoted Wilders as saying in an initial reaction.

 

PHOTO CAPTION

 

Dutch MP Geert Wilders.

 

Agencies