The prophet Mohammed justifies Islamic violence according to the murderer of Theo van Gogh

Nisnews:

The prophet Mohammed justifies Islamic violence in the battle between the faithful and unfaithful. Paradise awaits the faithful who die as a result, Mohammed Bouyeri claimed yesterday in the district court of The Hague.

Bouyeri hoped for paradise himself when he assassinated Theo van Gogh in Amsterdam on 2 November 2004. But after a shoot-out with the police, he was taken alive, and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder with terrorist motives. Yesterday, he made a 2.5-hour plea in the court case against the Hofstad alleged terrorist group, of which he is allegedly the leader.

"When you compare me to Osama Bin Laden, you are seriously wronging him and giving me too much honour that I do not deserve," Bouyeri said to the Public Prosecutor (OM). "But the fact that you see me as the black standard-bearer of Islam in Europe fills me with honour, pride and happiness."

Bouyeri began his plea with a sort of profession of faith in Arabic, which was translated by an interpreter. The 27-year-old Amsterdam-born Moroccan was dressed in a traditional black robe and had tied a scarf around his head. His plea consisted primarily of quotations from books on Islam from the prison library.

Publicist and law philosopher Afshin Ellian, who was in the pubic gallery, said Bouyeri's speech gave evidence of "an enormous intellectual emptiness". (...) "This is not an intellectual but pub talk". Islamologist Ruud Peters also said that Bouyeri's speech was incoherent. "He wants to give an overview of his ideas, but he rakes everything together."

Ellian and Peters agreed that Bouyeri's plea may be helpful for the OM, which is trying to prove in the case that Hofstad and its members are a terrorist organisation. The OM claims that their ideology leads irrevocably to violence. Bouyeri's statement confirms this, Ellian explained.

The OM has demanded sentences of 20 years against two Hofstad suspects, 10 years against a third and lower sentences against others. Bouyeri cannot be given a sentence as he is already serving life.

Ellian said yesterday he regretted the fact that Bouyeri's plea was not broadcast on television or radio - the court did not allow this. "Everything is about violence for him. (...) The one million Muslims (in the Netherlands) should be confronted with him. Then they can make a choice themselves."

Bouyeri's courtroom lecture

Van Gogh killer 'honoured to be compared to bin Laden'

Lawyers for EU Jihad

The 'Hofstadgroup' Terror Trial

Trial of Terror