Right-wing populist Wilders to go on trial

The High Council, the highest court in the Netherlands, has rejected the appeal filed by right-wing populist Geert Wilders against a charge of incitement of the masses. MP Wilders must now defend his anti-Islamic statements in court. The tabloid De Telegraaf agrees with the Council's decision but adds that the politician must now be given a fair trial: "We must hope that the judges have enough common sense to sweep aside the charges - incitement to hatred and discrimination as well as insulting a group of devout Muslims. For freedom of expression applies even to controversial statements. In a healthy democracy, such as the Netherlands is supposed to be, one can use strong words in political debate. This is also recognised by the Court of Human Rights. Every citizen must have the freedom to carry on a vehement and provocative debate without the intervention of the criminal judge."

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