Geert Wilders on Trial

On December 3rd 2009 a summons was issued to Geert Wilders.  In it he was charged with five different counts:

• Inciting Hatred Against People (Muslims), on account of their religion (Article 137 of Dutch Criminal Code).

• Inciting Discrimination Against People (Muslims), on account of their religion (Article 137D of Dutch Criminal Code).

• Inciting Hatred Against People (non-western ethnic minorities and/or Moroccans), on account of their religion (Article 137 of Dutch Criminal Code).

• Inciting Discrimination Against People (non-western ethnic minorities and/or Moroccans), on account of their religion (Article 137D of Dutch Criminal Code).

• Group Defamation (Article 137C of Dutch Criminal Code).

Read the Complete Writ of Summons

Geert Wilders Trial:

• Pretrial Review began on January 20, 2010

• Hearings for Drs. S.R. Admiraal began on April 26, 2010

• Hearings for Prof. Dr. J.J.G. Jansen began on May 6, 2010

• Hearing for Dr. W. Sultan began on June 28, 2010

(The criminal proceedings against Geert Wilders will continue in October of this year. The dates of absence of the people involved in the proceedings prevent the case coming up for trial sooner.)

The proceedings have been planned to follows as:

• October 4th, 6th, 8th: Trial Proceedings

• October 12th: Indictment

• October 15th: Defence

• October 19th: Replication and Rejoinder

• November 2nd: Verdict

UPDATES:

Geert Wilders trial began today (Oct. 4th).  On his twitter account he said the start of his trial was a "terrible day."

Wilders lawyer, Bram Moszkowicz, told presiding judge Jan Moors at the start of the trial that Wilders would not answer questions during the trial.

"My client will, at my advice, exercise his right to silence today, tomorrow and the other days," Moszkowicz said. Moors then adjourned the case to consider a request from Wilders to explain his decision not to speak.

Among more than 100 remarks his opponents see as offensive, an editorial in newspaper De Volkskrant stands out.

"I've had enough of Islam in the Netherlands; let not one more Muslim immigrate," he wrote in the paper. "I've had enough of the Quran in the Netherlands: Forbid that fascist book."

Prosecutors were initially reluctant to bring Wilders' case to court, saying his remarks appeared directed toward Islam as an ideology rather than intended to insult Muslims as a group.

But they were eventually ordered to do so by a judge.

Prosecutors won't rule out dropping charges or asking for no penalty at all when the trial comes to the sentencing phase. A verdict is expected Nov. 4.

SPECIAL UPDATE:

On Friday, October 15, the prosecutors stated that Wilders should be acquitted of all five charges against him for allegedly inciting hatred and discrimination. This is a very encouraging victory for free speech! However, the trial will still continue and the possibility remains that the judges could still indict him, though commentators seem to believe this is unlikely.