AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- The trial of Netherlands anti-Islam Party of Freedom leader Geert Wilders, who is charged with discrimination and inciting hatred, began Monday in Amsterdam.
The trial focuses on several statements attributed to Wilders, including one in which he compared the Koran, the Muslim holy book, to Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf" and called for it to be banned, DutchNews.nl reported. He also called for borders to be closed to non-Western immigrants to "stop the tsunami of Islamization."
Wilders is facing three charges: incitement to hatred, discrimination against Muslims and insulting Moroccan immigrants, Radio Netherlands reported. The charges are based on public statements, articles he wrote and "Fitna," a film he produced.
"Fitna," released online in March 2008, includes images of terrorist acts superimposed over Koran verses. The film drew complaints from the European Union, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the United States.
Related
Wilders said in a statement he wouldn't answer any questions in court, saying freedom of speech "for at least 1.5 million people is on trial," referring to the people who voted for Party of Freedom candidates during the Dutch election in June.
Wilders maintains his innocence. He vowed "I will fight" in a statement posted on the party's Web site when he faced a pretrial hearing in January, CNN reported.
Wilders and his lawyer argue that Wilders did not break any laws and, even if he did, the law runs counter to international norms of free speech.
Court officials said the case should take six days spread over the next few weeks, with a verdict expected to be announced Nov. 4.
