Five bullets — three in his head, one in his neck and one in his back — hit Fortuyn as he left a radio station in Hilversum. Van der Graaf was captured a short distance from the scene.

The killing was a defining moment in modern Dutch history. It was the first political assassination in 300 years and in one murderous second, the country lost its most flamboyant and popular politician in living memory. Political consensus in the Netherlands totally collapsed as Fortuyn's supporters accused the "Left" of complicity in Fortuyn's murder.

"The bullet came from the Left", fumed Ferry Hoogendijk, a leading member of Fortuyn's LPF party.

Disillusioned voters — who were enamoured by (with) Fortuyn — flocked to the polls nine days after the killing, giving the LPF 1.6 million votes and 26 seats in the 150-seat parliament.

Long-standing toleration of immigrants and law breaking was swept aside as tightening the borders and fighting crime became the main priorities.

Exactly the opposite, it would seem, of what Van der Graaf intended. And far from being seen as a hero, the majority of the Dutch public hopes the court will throw away the key when Van der Graaf is sentenced on 15 April.

Volkert Van Der Graaf

Who is this man who has attracted so much hatred?

Volkert van der Graaf is a white Dutch father of one child who lived in rented accommodation in the town of Harderwijk, east of the Ijsselmeer.

A committed vegan, he dedicated his life to actively campaigning for animal rights. At the age of 15, Van der Graaf helped care for oil-covered birds in Zeeland province.

Later he attended Wageningen agricultural college to study life sciences and agriculture.

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