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Geert Wilders, a right-wing member of the Dutch Parliament, is now on trial in the Netherlands for a controversial film that juxtaposed Koranic quotes and images of Islamist terrorist violence. While the video’s content is undoubtedly controversial, the content of which can be found here, the fact that he potentially faces a 15-month prison sentence is even more so. Wilders has become increasingly popular despite his persecution as he has been willing to stand up to the increasing Islamism in the Netherlands and Europe as a whole.

As his trial opened, Wilders offered his opening statement, where he stressed the importance of liberty in society. Here are a few excerpts, but the entire speech can be found here.

“Our freedom in this country is the fruit of centuries. It is the result of a history that has no equal and has brought us to where we are today. I believe with all my heart and soul that the freedom is threatened in the Netherlands. That heritage, which generations could only dream of, is precisely this freedom which is no longer a given fact, no longer a matter self-evidence.”

“In this trial it of course is about the freedom of expression. But in this trial it is certainly also about finding the truth. The statements I have made, the comparisons I have drawn — are they true? As mentioned in the summons? Because if something is true, how can it be illegal?”

I apologize to readers for the long hiatus in between posts. As promised, I will continue to provide updates on the persecution of Dutch MP Geert Wilders, whose crime was to direct a film that was critical of the Koran. A Dutch appeals ordered him to stand trial in January, and now that the Dutch Supreme Court refused to dismiss these outrageous charges, his trial will commence. Wilders added the following statement regarding his upcoming trial: “I am being prosecuted for something millions of Dutch people are thinking… Freedom of speech is being sacrificed on the altar of Islam. But I am ready to fight back with my head held high”

I have noted in previous posts that this trial is an affront to free speech. But some individuals expressed their support for the trial. Here are some notable reactions:

“He needs to be prosecuted and found guilty so that he will under the constitution be banned from poltiical office and thus out of the picture. His presence tarnishes the image of Dutch morality and basic human dignity. This is not to do with freedom of speech but the battle against those in public office that abuse that right by creating hatred against one group for political purposes.”

“I’m all for the prosecution of this asshole for hate speech! If he really believed in what he says, he would have had real debates about his beliefs, and gone to the FOUR debates his party has run away from like cowards, for EU congress.”

Not everyone agreed though:

“I cannot believe I have just read the previous two comments on the news site of a free, civilised EU country…The point is this prosecution is a purely political act, and the fact it was able to be brought at all means that the entire process is biased against him.”