(20 Jan 2010)
AP TELEVISION NEWS
1. Wide shot, demonstration in front of court
2. Police on horses, protesters with placards
3. Police and demonstrators
4. Police on horses
5. Various, police and demonstrators
6. SOUNDBITE: (Dutch) Frank Van Baar, protester:
"He (Wilders) is the only politician that speaks up and represents a great part of the Dutch people."
7. Panning shot of banners supporting Wilders
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Esmeralda Hannink, protester:
"He is the only man in Holland in politics who says this must stop. Islamisation must stop now, because its not good for the opinion, for people."
9. Mid shot, policeman
10. Placard with drawings
11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Teo Meetern, protester
"Of course there are too many Muslims in the Netherlands. In the years eighty (the eighties) there were 30 percent of what''s now. Because it''s a good country."
12. Banner depicting politician Geert Wilders with tape over mouth
13. Rear shot of police facing protesters
POOL
14. Judge and officials entering court
15. Politician Geert Wilders sitting with lawyer Bram Moszkowicz
16. Judge addressing Geert Wilders, UPSOUND: (Dutch) Jan Moors, presiding judge
"You''re here today as a suspect. That means that you are not obliged to answer questions. Law requires that I have to remind you to listen carefully, but I presume that you are doing this."
17. Geert Wilders'' lawyer, Bram Moszkowicz, standing up to speak
STORYLINE:
Around 200 supporters of Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders demonstrated outside an Amsterdam court on Wednesday at the start of his criminal trial for allegedly inciting hate against the Netherlands'' Muslim minority.
The case is seen as an important test weighing Wilders'' right to freedom of speech against Dutch immigrants'' rights to freedom of religion and freedom from persecution.
Wilders has been charged for more than 100 public statements, including remarks comparing the Quran to Hitler''s ''Mein Kampf'', and calling for it to be banned in the Netherlands.
He also produced the 2008 short film ''Fitna'', which offended Muslims around the world by juxtaposing Quranic verses with images of terrorism by Islamic radicals.
Wilders'' lawyer, Bram Moszkowicz challenged the court''s jurisdiction on Wednesday and argued the charges should be dismissed.
Later at the hearing prosecutors were expected to put forward lists of prospective witnesses.
Formal opening arguments won''t be heard until March.
Supporters outside the court carried signs calling Wilders'' prosecution an assault on freedom of speech.
Inside the court, presiding Judge Jan Moors assured Wilders he would receive a fair trial.
Immigrant, Muslim and anti-racism groups have long sought Wilders'' prosecution, saying his remarks go beyond being offensive and compound ethnic tensions in the Netherlands, a country once regarded a beacon of tolerance.
Muslims make up about six percent of the Dutch population of 15 (m) million, after a wave of immigration in the 1980s and 1990s, and immigration-related issues have dominated Dutch politics since the turn of the century.
Wilders'' opposition Freedom Party has grown quickly and now rivals the country''s biggest in popularity polls.
If convicted, Wilders would face a maximum sentence of two years in prison, though a fine of up to 18,500 Euros - equivalent to 26,800 US dollars - is more likely.
He could theoretically keep his seat in parliament.
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