PREVIEW: Trial of Islam critic Geert Wilders set to resume

Feb 2, 2010, 14:34 GMT

Amsterdam - An Amsterdam court is to resume proceedings on Wednesday against Islam critic Geert Wilders to rule on the charges to be heard before the court and the number of witnesses to be called.

The trial opened January 20 when the leader of the Dutch Freedom Party PVV was to answer allegations of discrimination and incitement to hatred. After a day of reviewing technical legal issues, the court adjourned until February 3.

The trial is to decide whether the leader of the liberal-rightist Freedom Party PVV violated Dutch law by calling the Koran a 'fascist book' and Islam a 'backward culture.'

Prosecutors also claim Wilders' 16-minute internet video Fitna, released in March 2008, incites people to hatred against Muslims.

The film warns against the spread of radical Islam and the alleged 'Islamization' of the Netherlands.

During the first administrative hearing, the prosecution and defence argued over which witnesses should be heard.

Whereas the public prosecutor said he wanted only Wilders to be questioned, defence lawyer Bram Moszkowicz asked the court to hear 17 expert witnesses.

Among them are legal scholars, Islam experts and several radical Muslims, including Mohammed Bouyeri, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for assassinating Dutch film maker and Islam critic Theo van Gogh in November 2004.

Geert Wilders has denied all charges and claims that although his statements may sometimes be bold, he is merely using his right to freedom of expression.

The lawmaker also says he does not discriminate against Muslims but merely expresses his concern about the 'islamization' of the Netherlands, that in his view 'opposes freedom.'

Wilders faces a maximum of 16 months imprisonment or a fine of 10,000 euros (14,000 dollars) if convicted on all the charges.

Almost 6 per cent of the Netherlands' 16.5 million inhabitants are Muslims.