SubscribeDutch Cartoonist Arrested - Insulted Muslims
From Radio Netherlands Worldwide:
This notorious cartoon by Dutch artist Gregorius Nekschot shows “Mohammed” deflowering “Aisha” — both depicted as middle-aged Russian peasants. The doll is saying, “The highlight of the Children’s Koran: the deflowering of the 9-year-old Aisha by the Prophet Mohammed.”
‘Insulting’ cartoons under investigation
By Philip Smet
16-05-2008
The Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced that the cartoonist who works under the pseudonym Gregorius Nekschot was arrested for publishing ‘insulting cartoons’.
The cartoonist will not reveal his real name out of fear that Islamic extremists will seek revenge for the cartoons, many of which make fun of the Muslim religion.
It is extremely unusual for a Dutch artist to be arrested for his works. Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin says he does not believe the case has anything to do with suppressing free expression.
On Tuesday, Gregorius Nekschot was arrested at his Amsterdam home. The arresting force was made up of the magistrate, five police officers and three members of the Public Prosecutor’s Office. His home was searched and he was taken to a police station, where he refused to answer questions. That night he had to remain in the cell; he was released the next day.
The complaint which Public Prosecutor’s Office is handling was made in 2005. The Public Prosecutor’s Office’s issued a press release saying:
“The investigation has revealed that a number of cartoons published on the internet were, according to our office, insulting to Muslims and to people of colour. Moreover, the Public Prosecutor’s Office believes the cartoons could inspire hatred.”
Gregorius Nekschot published his cartoons on his own website. Film producer and columnist Theo van Gogh, who was killed in 2004 by a Muslim extremist, also used to publish Gregorius Nekschot’s cartoons on his website. The cartoonist is known for his extremely insulting caricatures of religion and left-wing politicians. One of the reasons he was not arrested earlier is because he works anonymously - the Public Prosecutor’s Office says they simply couldn’t find him.
Minister Hirsch Ballin says the Netherlands has an international obligation to crack down on this type of discrimination. However, many politicians have complained about the arrest. Democrat party D66 MP Boris van der Ham has asked the minister for clarification about the arrest. Not only does he think it was carried out with an excessive show of force, he does not think the Public Prosecutor’s Office should have taken legal action against the artist. He says ‘a public debate’ is preferable to a trial.
“It’s also not true that Dutch Muslims aren’t capable of defending themselves. In the discussion of the film by Geert Wilders - Fitna - many moderate Muslims just raised their shoulders. I think the same holds true for this cartoonist, even if (the cartoons) are extremely coarse.”
Even though he thinks the cartoons are sometimes tasteless, the lawyer Gerard Hamer does not agree with the conviction of the Public Prosecutor’s Office that they inspire hatred. He also describes the arrest of the cartoonist as “exaggerated, not right and not in agreement with the constitution.” He says the cartoonist should be able to explain his actions to the judge, without being arrested.
Mr Hamer described the arrest as “Pure intimidation”:
“If it isn’t really necessary to arrest people you shouldn’t do it. Our freedom is a great good, as is the freedom of expression. By arresting someone you have an influence on free expression. You show that because of his cartoons he has a real chance of losing his freedom. This is what they do in Zimbabwe, or in other countries; there it happens all the time. One hopes that the Amsterdam Public Prosecutor’s Office won’t end up making this a habit.” …
First they came for the cartoonists…
This kind of gross vulgarity is not our cup of tea. But to be arrested for it?
That is insanity.
12 Responses to “Dutch Cartoonist Arrested - Insulted Muslims”
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May 17th, 2008 at 2:31 am
End of days they are a coming. Did not 1000’s of patriots die for similar causes in 1775? Did not Rome fall under a similar climate? Dems love the EU…give it 3 years and we will see these same headlines here in the U.S. And what will the MSM say when their masters in the DNC are rounding them up and sending them to camps in Nevada and New Mexico? I can not wait to hear the editorials in the NYT then.
May 17th, 2008 at 4:48 am
If I could, I would have muslims arrested for insulting the western world. THIS…..is why we must never, ever submit to the cancer of political correctness….or the scourge of Islam.
Ya know, I think I will draw a few totally disgusting cartoons and post them on a web site I create……see how long they last…..or I last. Time to see how tolerant islam is. Time to expose the disease.
The MSM, the left, the democrat, all are like typhoid mary…..they are unwittingly carrying the infection of political correctness, which harbors the deadly islam virus. They are going to die, and they are too ignorant to realize it.
May 17th, 2008 at 5:31 am
Why, didn’t the guy just asked to be charged for obsenity instead of insults? Then we would have all of the free speechers throwing themselves on the floor with gnashing of teeth. Who is this guy’s lawyer?!? ROFLMAO
May 17th, 2008 at 7:55 am
At least there are some questioning the arrest based on free speech. In the U.S. the charge of a hate crime would trump free speech rights. It would be a free speech issue if it were an attack on a traditional figure like Jesus, but the hate crime angle would be taken with an attack on Mohammed.
Something bullforever said made me think of a question. What happens when and if the EU takes over the responsibility of policing member states? Individual rights would be diluted just by the numbers and compromises. Put European politics of appeasement on top of that and you can kiss your free expression good bye.
May 17th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Sheehanjihad said it best -’The MSM, the left, the democrat, all are like typhoid mary…..they are unwittingly carrying the infection of political correctness, which harbors the deadly islam virus. They are going to die, and they are too ignorant to realize it.’-
We are free simply because the majority of us would see the above as tastless, simplistic and quite possibly ignorant - but not a crime, not a hate crime and certainly not worthy of arrest. . .
I go back to who is the one who is the final arbitrator of what, where, when and how everything is done - why that person (which it usually isn’t one, it is a governmental bureaucracy - how personal and considering is that), who votes for them, puts them in power? Most likely it is going to be like voting for a dictator - do it or die. . .That is what we are coming down to and for whatever reason, Americans are allowing the greatest Nation in the World to be pushed downstream with the rest of the World into oblivion, worthless and destruction.
We The People are and have been the best at keeping stupidity, pc ness, and utter globalization insantity at bay. I still cannot understand that the same people screaming about evilbushitlerburtonco and their ‘invasion’ of individual rights and privacy - are wanting and actually voting for people who want to increase the size and scope of government even more. And as intelligent, patriotic and strong Americans - we must remove (not kill, in the one sense - mortal death - but in the more lasting - power and control erradication) this disease from our country once and for all.
Common sense, education, and truth are and always should be our weapon - for the reverse is theirs. Intimidation, misinformation and lies are not productive for anything other than power grabbing and control. And for all the fiberals and foaming at the mouth bdsers out there - we are not and never have been claiming perfection - just to remain true to the core values and foundation of America - to imply that any failure is a failure of conservatism, federalism or America is just another lie.
We The People are the ones who can join forces - we did it quickly and profoundly for Shamnesty - we can do it again - to dump the socialist empty suit, the communist pantsuit and the liberal turncoat suit and get two real, dedicated Americans (or more) to run for President. It is still not too late.
May 17th, 2008 at 9:57 am
GuppyNblue “What happens when and if the EU takes over the responsibility of policing member states? Individual rights would be diluted just by the numbers and compromises.”
Keep your eye on June 12th. That’ll be the day Ireland saves Europe or casts it into eternal hell.
http://video.google.com/videop.....9472554607
May 17th, 2008 at 10:20 am
wardmama4
“We The People are the ones who can join forces - we did it quickly and profoundly for Shamnesty - we can do it again - to dump the socialist empty suit, the communist pantsuit and the liberal turncoat suit and get two real, dedicated Americans (or more) to run for President.”
I’ll join and support any movement to make that happen. Any man or woman with honest American character could beat these slime sucking senators. They only look halfway legitimate because of the company they’re in.
nuthingbettertodo
Thanks for the video link. I like the Gustav Holst playing in the background…lol. Actually I’m aware of the Lisbon Treaty and that’s one of the reasons I raised the question. I’ll be watching but I wish there was something I could actually do.
May 17th, 2008 at 10:35 am
GuppyNblue
I just hope there is a Raymond Crotty somewhere here looking out for us…..
May 17th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
“If I could, I would have muslims arrested for insulting the western world.”
Now you’re talking.
I know there are laws about selective prosecution, but doesn’t Gregorius Nekschot have a good case of selective harrassment/arrest here? How many Dutch muslims who publish infidel hating videos/tapes/etc.? Why are the Dutch police (and 3 members of the Public Prosecutor’s office - I guess they knew a photo op when they saw it) not going after the slime that propagate that stuff? Is it less offensive to produce and distribute material showing beheadings of infidels than it is for the “profit” to be made fun of?
And - can R. Crumb be reached for comment?
May 17th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I guess if there was a monkey peeling a banana in the cartoon the cartoonist would be in BIG trouble.
May 17th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
R. Crumb? Someone is belying their age!! Keep on truckin! Oh, in case there was any doubt as to my opinion, muslims suck. Remind me to hate them in the morning, could you?
May 17th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Sounds like an avant-garde thing — we should think about it.