Dutch court refuses to ban Fitna

7 April 2008

THE HAGUE – A Dutch court has refused to ban a lawmaker’s Internet film criticizing the Quran.

A group representing Dutch Muslims sought an injunction banning right-wing lawmaker Geert Wilders’ film, Fitna. It links terror attacks by Muslim extremists with texts from Islam’s holy book.

In a written judgment published Monday, a civil judge at The Hague District Court says Wilders’ right to free speech allows him to criticize radical Islam and passages of the Quran.

The case is already largely moot. That is because Wilders posted the film on the Internet the day before lawyers representing the Netherlands Islamic Federation argued that the film should be outlawed because it was insulting to Muslims.

[AP / Expatica]