Dutch politician Geert Wilders, leader of the controversial Freedom Party, faces trial "for inciting hatred and discrimination" against Muslims.
A court in the Netherlands said that "In a democratic system, hate speech is considered so serious that it is in the general interest to... draw a clear line" and that it "considers appropriate criminal prosecution for insulting Muslim worshippers because of comparisons between Islam and Nazism made by Wilders."
In response, Wilders described the trial as an "attack on the freedom of expression...Participation in the public debate has become a dangerous activity. If you give your opinion, you risk being prosecuted."
Wilders has been an outspoken critic of Islam, having lived under police protection following Theo Van Gogh's murder in 2004. He has compared the Koran with Mein Kampf, and last year made a short film entitled 'Fitna', which showed acts of terrorist violence next to shuras from the Koran.
In response, Wilders described the trial as an "attack on the freedom of expression...Participation in the public debate has become a dangerous activity. If you give your opinion, you risk being prosecuted."
Wilders has been an outspoken critic of Islam, having lived under police protection following Theo Van Gogh's murder in 2004. He has compared the Koran with Mein Kampf, and last year made a short film entitled 'Fitna', which showed acts of terrorist violence next to shuras from the Koran.
