Mr Wilders' lawyer Bram Moszkowicz says the judges have overestimated themselves, and "when a judge overestimates himself, I get worried." The Mufti gets away with mass murder, and 65 years later the Muslims are running the show in Europe. You couldn't make this stuff up. Meanwhile, David and Goliath plays out in a courtroom in Holland. Thank G-d for Wilders. Back this man. Support him with every breath in your body.He fights for you. In the latest news, the court ruled that it is competent to deal with the case. It restricted the list of 18 witnesses which Wilders had asked to be heard to only three people: the Dutch Arabists Jansen and Admiraal, plus Wafa Sultan. Robert Spencer will not be heard. OT, Wafa Sultan is the headline speaker at my CPAC event with Spencer (you coming or what?) AMSTERDAM, Feb 3 (Reuters) - An Amsterdam court said on Wednesday it will hear the case against right-wing Dutch MP Geert Wilders on charges of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims, rejecting his request to be judged in the Supreme Court. In its ruling, the court rejected an assertion from Wilders' laywer, who argued in January at the start of the trial the Supreme Court should hear the case because as a politician, Wilders has a certain protection under freedom of speech laws. (Reporting by Harro ten Wolde) Wilders has started a website. Check it every day. Bookmark it. Dutch politician Geert Wilders launches websites on political trial Wednesday February 3rd 2010 Dutch politician Geert Wilders launches two websites on the political trial against him and the freedom of speech. From now on both the Dutch (www.wildersproces.nl) and the international public (www.wildersontrial.com) are able to keep up with the trials’ proceedings. Both websites not only include the latest news on the trial but also provide background information on the trials’ participants, the summons, the cause and the importance of this trial for freedom of speech in the Netherlands and –possibly- for the whole of Europe. Geert Wilders: “This trial is not just about me. It is about the future of freedom of speech in the Netherlands. The outcome of this trial affects the freedom of all Dutch citizens. With these websites, I want to make it possible for people to follow the latest developments concerning the trial.” Links to both websites: · www.wildersontrial.com (International version) · www.wildersproces.nl (Dutch version) · www.wildersontrial.com (International version) · www.wildersproces.nl (Dutch version) Radio Netherlands had this: Mr Wilders, through his lawyer Bram Moszkowicz, had requested that 17 witnesses testify as part of his defence against charges that include inciting hatred of Muslims and non-western immigrants. Mr Wilders lawyer Bram Moszkowicz says the judges have overestimated themselves, and "when a judge overestimates himself, I get worried."
WILDERS ON TRIAL. COURT WILL HEAR THE CASE, RESTRICTS WITNESSES - SLEDGEHAMMER BLOW TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Murderer
Among others, Mr Wilders had asked that Mohammed Bouyeri, the convicted murderer of Theo van Gogh, be called as a expert witness.
The judges, however, will not allow Bouyeri to testify. They have also ruled that other 'Muslim extremists' on Mr Wilders' 'wishlist' will not be allowed to testify. The list includes Fawaz Jneid, imam at the Soennah Mosque in The Hague, and Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, chairman of the Guardian Council in Iran.
Ex-Muslims
Mr Wilders will be permitted to call three experts on Islam, out of the total of eight he had actually asked for. However, two ex-Muslims called by his defence team - in part to give their personal view about the impact of Islam - were also rejected.
In their ruling, the judges say Mr Wilders will have ample opportunity to tell the court whether he agrees with their decision to disallow some of his chosen witnesses
Staying in Amsterdam
The Amsterdam judges also ruled that they have jurisdiction in the case. Mr Moszkowicz had asked that the trial be moved to The Hague, since most of Mr Wilders' statements were made there.
Geert Wilders was visibly displeased with the rulings of the court, shaking his head repeatedly during the brief announcement.
Reacting to the rulings later, Mr Wilders told journalists outside the courtroom, "This court doesn't seem to be interested in the truth. I can only conclude that the court is not going to let me have a fair trial. I have no respect for this."
Mr Wilders bases his defence on his right to freedom of expression. He feels an important element in that respect is that in exercising that right he has in fact been telling the truth about Islam. So, in order to prove that what he says about Islam is true, Mr Wilders says he needs all of his witnesses.
However, some feared that had the judges allowed all seventeen defence witnesses, the trial would become a judgment on Islam, rather than a judgment on whether or not Geert Wilders has incited hatred.The proceedings have now been adjourned until further notice.
Wednesday 3 February 2010
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