Dutch court rejects anti-Islam MP's bias claim

A defence lawyer rejected accusations of hate speech and xenophobia against Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders on Tuesday, urging judges not to "shoot the messenger"."Wilders makes the hatred of others visible," the politician's lawyer Bram Moszkowicz told judges of the Amsterdam district court on the first day of defence pleadings broadcast live via the Internet."Don't shoot the messenger," the lawyer said, arguing that the right to freedom of speech covered Wilders's criticism of the Islamic religion, which the politician describes as "violent".

Dutch far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders walked away from hate speech and discrimination charges Thursday for statements made attacking Islam, calling his acquittal a victory for freedom of speech."You are being acquitted on all the charges that were put against you," Judge Marcel van Oosten told Wilders who has been on trial in the Amsterdam regional court since October last year.

A gunman who tried to shoot a Danish writer and prominent critic of Islam missed and fled after a scuffle with his intended victim. Lars Hedegaard, who heads a group that claims press freedom is under threat from Islam, said he was shaken but not physically injured in the attack at his Copenhagen home. Police said they were searching for the suspect, whom they described as a “foreign” man aged 20-25.

Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders, set to become a shadow partner in the next Dutch government, went on trial Monday accused of inciting racial hatred against Muslims.The controversial politician with his signature shock of dyed-blonde hair risks up to a year in jail or a 7,600-euro fine for calling Islam "fascist" and likening the Koran to Hitler's Mein Kampf.The hearing in Amsterdam was opened by presiding judge Jan Moors shortly after 9:00 am (0700 GMT) with Wilders seated in the front row of the courtroom next to his advocate Bram Moszkovicz.

Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders, set to become a shadow partner in the next Dutch government, went on trial Monday accused of inciting racial hatred against Muslims.The controversial politician with his signature shock of dyed-blonde hair risks up to a year in jail or a 7,600-euro fine for calling Islam "fascist" and likening the Koran to Hitler's Mein Kampf.The hearing in Amsterdam was opened by presiding judge Jan Moors shortly after 9:00 am (0700 GMT) with Wilders seated in the front row of the courtroom next to his advocate Bram Moszkovicz.

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

The judges trying Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders for hate speech were ordered to step down Friday at his request by an independent panel of judges.