Khaleej Times Online >> News >> THE WORLD Suspected killer of Dutch filmmaker refuses to offer defence (AFP)
11 July 2005 AMSTERDAM - A Moroccan Dutch national accused of the murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh, causing a surge in religious tensions in the Netherlands, refused to offer a defence when his trial opened here on Monday. Mohammed Bouyeri, nevertheless "takes complete responsibility" for his actions, his lawyer told the high-security court in Amsterdam. The murder of Van Gogh, who was shot and stabbed while cycling in Amsterdam on November 2, 2004, fueled ethnic tensions in the Netherlands and sparked a wave of reprisal attacks on mosques, Islamic schools and churches. Bouyeri, 27, came to court dressed in a long black shirt and a Palestinian black and white chequered headscarf and carrying a green leather-bound book embossed with gold Arabic script. His lawyer Peter Plasman said he would not present a defence. "It is my client's wish that there will be no defence, not by him but also not on his behalf... He will use his right to remain silent," Plasman said in a short statement. Despite prompting from the judges, Bouyeri refused to answer questions. "I think Mr Plasman was very clear and I have nothing to add," he said. When Judge Udo Willem Bentinck asked Plasman whether Bouyeri's refusal was connected to his beliefs -- prosecutors claim he is a radical Islamist -- the lawyer would not answer, but Bentick said "I see your client nodding'. Islam expert Ruud Peters, in court as an expert witness on the content of some of the documents found in Bouyeri's possession, testified that not presenting a defence "implies that he does not recognize the court" which would be in line with his beliefs. Plasman repeated that Bouyeri "takes complete responsibility for his actions and that specifically means his actions on November 2, 2004," the day Van Gogh was killed. Born and raised in Amsterdam, the 27-year-old Bouyeri is a radical who hoped to die a martyr after killing the controversial filmmaker, a distant relative of 19th century painter Vincent van Gogh, police say. Theo van Gogh, who was also a columnist noted for his virulent attacks on multi-cultural society and Islam, was shot and stabbed in broad daylight. Several months earlier, he had directed a short film called "Submission", critical of abuses against women under Islam. A letter was left on his body that included quotations from the Quran and threats to several Dutch politicians, including Somali-born lawmaker Ayaan Hirsi Ali who wrote the script for "Submission". Bouyeri was arrested as he attempted to flee the murder scene, according to police. In an emotionally charged moment in court, Van Gogh's mother and sister spoke about their loss. "After the death of our son it became clear that writing and images are dangerous, they can get you killed," his mother Anneke van Gogh said. "The death of Theo has left a big empty space in our family that will never be filled ... we hope that Bouyeri will get the highest possible sentence but we are the ones who got a life sentence on November 2," his sister Josien van Gogh added. Bouyeri is charged with murdering Van Gogh, the attempted murder of several police officers and bystanders, and obstructing the work of Hirsi Ali as a member of parliament. If convicted he could be sentenced to a maximum of life in prison. Under Dutch law a life sentence is applied literally. Even though prosecutors have said that Bouyeri was "a leading figure" in a terrorist organisation known as the Hofstad group, he has not yet been charged in that connection because of lack of evidence. The trial will therefore only focus on Van Gogh's murder and related events. The court has set two days for the hearings, with the possibility of extending into a third. Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
