Amsterdam - An Amsterdam court on Wednesday ruled it was authorized to hear the criminal case against lawmaker and Islam- critic Geert Wilders for incitement to hatred and discrimination. The court rejected the argument by Wilders' defence at the start of the trial on January 20 that only the Netherlands' Supreme Court could deal with the case since Wilders is a member of national parliament.
The charges against the liberal-rightist Freedom Party PVV leader stem from remarks he made about Islam and the Koran. The court is to decide whether he violated Dutch law by calling the Koran a "fascist book" and Islam a "backward culture."
Prosecutors also argue that Wilders' 16-minute internet video Fitna incites people to hatred against Muslims. The film warns against the spread of radical Islam and the alleged "Islamization" of the Netherlands. The film made headlines when it was released in March 2008.
The court on Wednesday rejected a claim by lawyer Bram Moszkowiczs that his client enjoyed immunity for remarks made outside parliament. It also rejected Moszkowicz's request to hear several legal experts, but permitted three of the eight Islamic scholars called by he defence to testify.
The court also rejected the defence's request for Mohammed Bouyeri, the man convicted of the 2004 assassination of filmmaker Theo van Gogh, to be called as a witness. Van Gogh explored the issue of the abuse of Muslim women in his film Submission.
Wilders has denied all charges and claims that although his statements may sometimes be bold, he is merely exercising his right to freedom of expression.
He also denies charges of discriminating against Muslims, saying he is merely concern about the "Islamization" of the Netherlands, which, 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.
