Geert Wilders faces charges over FitnaJanuary 26, 2009 - 13:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Dutch legislator Geert Wilders, the creator of a controversial web-based film stigmatizing Islam, is to be prosecuted in Amsterdam on charges of discrimination and incitement to hatred. A court in the Dutch capital said on January 21 that Wilders, who heads the far-right Dutch Freedom Party, made biased and radical statements "as a result of which hate is created." The 17-minute film "Fitna" received worldwide attention last year when its release on the Internet sparked protests by Muslims in Afghanistan, Iran, Indonesia, Pakistan, and elsewhere. The film, whose title means "strife" in Arabic, juxtaposes verses from the Koran with images of beheadings, attacks by Islamic terrorists, and clerics calling for jihad. The court particularly faulted Wilders for equating the Koran and Islam with the ideology of Nazism and Adolf Hitler's book "Mein Kampf." "The instigation of hatred in a democratic society constitutes such a serious matter [that it is necessary] to draw a clear boundary in the public debate," the judges said. The decision caps a several-year effort by civil-rights groups in the Netherlands to bring Wilders to trial for repeated public statements attacking Muslims, RFE/RL reports. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |