ianstone
10-04-2010, 03:24 PM
Judge 'Bias' Stalls Dutch Anti-Islam Trial
4:07pm UK, Monday October 04, 2010
Katie Cassidy, Sky News Online
The trial of controversial Dutch politician Geert Wilders has been adjourned after he accused the judges of bias.
Wilders was charged with inciting hatred against Muslims after he compared the Islamic faith to Nazism and claimed the Koran is fascist.
The far-right politician (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Geert_Wilders) is widely known for his anti-Muslim message and has been put under police protection after a number of death threats.
He is outspoken in his belief that immigration of people from Islamic nations must be stopped.
Before proceedings got under way, Wilders gave a short statement: "I have said what I have said and I will not take one word back."
He then told the court he would not speak during the trial - as he would invoke his right to remain silent.
That prompted the presiding judge to comment that Wilders had been accused in the past of avoiding debate and it appeared he was doing the same again.
Sky News Europe correspondent Alex Rossi (http://blogs.news.sky.com/eurovision/Post:4918fac4-fd33-47c7-bd4a-b39cc2331a68), who was at the trial, said Wilders' lawyer then accused the judge of bias.
A separate hearing was then hastily put together to consider the issue of the judges' impartiality.
Geert Wilders Trial In Amsterdam (http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=b7119ff0a3)
Happy to speak during this hearing, Wilders said the "appearance of bias" meant a fair trial was "no longer possible".
"I find it... inappropriate, improper and even scandalous that the chairman of the court interprets this and commentates on it."
The hearing ended and Wilders' trial was adjourned until Tuesday, when a decision will be made on whether to bring in new judges.
Wilders' extreme views have gained ground in the Netherlands, with his Freedom Party winning an increased number of seats at elections in June.
4:07pm UK, Monday October 04, 2010
Katie Cassidy, Sky News Online
The trial of controversial Dutch politician Geert Wilders has been adjourned after he accused the judges of bias.
Wilders was charged with inciting hatred against Muslims after he compared the Islamic faith to Nazism and claimed the Koran is fascist.
The far-right politician (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Geert_Wilders) is widely known for his anti-Muslim message and has been put under police protection after a number of death threats.
He is outspoken in his belief that immigration of people from Islamic nations must be stopped.
Before proceedings got under way, Wilders gave a short statement: "I have said what I have said and I will not take one word back."
He then told the court he would not speak during the trial - as he would invoke his right to remain silent.
That prompted the presiding judge to comment that Wilders had been accused in the past of avoiding debate and it appeared he was doing the same again.
Sky News Europe correspondent Alex Rossi (http://blogs.news.sky.com/eurovision/Post:4918fac4-fd33-47c7-bd4a-b39cc2331a68), who was at the trial, said Wilders' lawyer then accused the judge of bias.
A separate hearing was then hastily put together to consider the issue of the judges' impartiality.
Geert Wilders Trial In Amsterdam (http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=b7119ff0a3)
Happy to speak during this hearing, Wilders said the "appearance of bias" meant a fair trial was "no longer possible".
"I find it... inappropriate, improper and even scandalous that the chairman of the court interprets this and commentates on it."
The hearing ended and Wilders' trial was adjourned until Tuesday, when a decision will be made on whether to bring in new judges.
Wilders' extreme views have gained ground in the Netherlands, with his Freedom Party winning an increased number of seats at elections in June.