Controversial Dutch politician Geert Wilders was recently acquitted of hate charges, saying his claims that Islam is violent by nature, and his calls for a ban on Muslim immigration and the Qur'an, always fell within the bounds of legitimate political debate even if they were offensive to many Muslims.

The court found his rhetoric was "on the edge of what is legally permissible". Wilders, the leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV), the third-largest political party in the Netherlands, argued his statements represented the views of millions of voters and that the charges were politically motivated. Recognising that the charges were politically motivated, the prosecution also called for acquittal.

NZ Christian Network National Director Glyn Carpenter says, "We disagree strongly, as I suspect do most people, with much of what Mr Wilders says. However, we have to be very careful about imposing limits on freedom of speech."

In his own closing statement to the Amsterdam court, Wilders said: "Acquit me, for if I am convicted, you convict the freedom of opinion and expression of millions of Dutchmen...." The full statement can be read here.

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