Amsterdam - The Dutch government distances itself from legislator Geert Wilders' film Fitna, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said late Thursday. Balkenende told reporters during a press conference that the Dutch government regretted the fact that Wilders had decided to release the film, even though the government had asked Wilders to refrain from making it public.
Balkenende said that the public prosecutor will investigate whether the film complies with Dutch law.
Wilders' Freedom Party runs on a platform critical of Islam and the Netherlands' immigration policies. The opposition Freedom Party holds nine seats in the Dutch Parliament.
Before the release Thursday evening, Wilders said that the film demonstrated why the Koran is a "fascist" book that incites people to violence.
In November, Wilders confirmed reports that he was producing a film about the Koran. Since then, the film has dominated Dutch headlines and sparked heated debate.
The website of Wilders' Freedom Party said that the film could be viewed at www.liveleak.com.
