Dutch court acquits anti-Islam politician

PanARMENIAN.Net - A Dutch court acquitted populist politician Geert Wilders of hate speech and discrimination Thursday, June 23, ruling that his anti-Islam statements, while offensive to many Muslims, fell within the bounds of legitimate political debate.

Presiding judge Marcel van Oosten said Wilders' claims that Islam is violent by nature, and his calls to halt Muslim immigration and ban the Muslim holy book, the Quran, must be seen in a wider context of debate over immigration policy.

The court said his public statements could not be directly linked to increased discrimination against Dutch Muslims.

Wilders, one of the most powerful and popular politicians in the Netherlands, was accused of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims through numerous public statements, and with insulting them by comparing Islam with Naziism.

"I'm incredibly happy with this acquittal on all counts," Wilders said outside the courtroom. "It's not only an acquittal for me, but a victory for freedom of expression in the Netherlands. Fortunately you're allowed to discuss Islam in public debate and you're not muzzled... An enormous burden has fallen from my shoulders," he said.

Groups that filed the complaints against Wilders that ultimately led to his prosecution said they were disappointed with the ruling.

The court found that Wilders' rhetoric was at times on the edge of what is legally permissible.

The judge described his statements about a "tsunami" of immigrants overrunning the country and threatening its culture as "crude and denigrating," but legally legitimate given the wider context and his further statements that he has no objections to Muslims who integrate and accept Dutch values, The Associated Press reported.