Anti-Islam far-right Dutch MP goes on trial

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) Right-wing Dutch MP Geert Wilders went on trial in an Amsterdam court on Wednesday charged with inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims in a case seen as a test of free speech in the traditionally tolerant Netherlands.
Wilders, leader of the Freedom Party PVV, is standing trial after an appeals court ordered he should face charges in a decision that overruled the public prosecutor, who had argued Wilders was protected by the right to free speech.
The MP is charged over his 2008 film Fitna which accused the Koran of inciting violence as it mixed images of terrorist attacks with quotations from the Islamic holy book.
He is also charged over his outspoken comments in the media, such as an opinion piece in a Dutch daily in which he compared Islam to fascism and the Koran to Adolf Hitlers Mein Kampf.
But defence lawyer Bram Moszkowicz challenged the courts jurisdiction and the prosecutions case, stressing the Supreme Court should instead handle the case because Wilders is a politician and should be judged accordingly.
Wilders has made all of his comments in the capacity as a member of Parliament, Moszkowicz told the court, adding Wilders has the right to comment on developments in society.
A fierce opponent of Islam in European culture, Wilders has proven popular in recent years with Dutch voters concerned about immigration and its impact on Dutch society. Wilders Freedom Party emerged last year as the Netherlands second-largest party in the European Parliament and recent polls have indicated the party stands a chance to become the largest in the Dutch Parliament in national elections due in May 2011.
I remain combative and still convinced that this political process will only lead to an acquittal, Wilders has said on his website.
Charged also with offending a group of people, the start of the case against Wilders on Wednesday aimed initially to deal with procedural issues, such as how many witnesses each side will call before handling the case proper at a later date. The court must still rule, however, on the challenge to its jurisdiction.
In October, Wilders won an appeal against a British government ban preventing him from entering Britain after he was barred in February 2009 from coming into the country on fears his presence would threaten community harmony and public safety.
He faces a maximum of one year and three months imprisonment if convicted by the Amsterdam court on both counts. The prosecution has not ruled out the possibility, however, that it will request an acquittal.