VAn Gogh's killer got a Life sentence.
Anneke A
since 1945 (excluding warcriminals) was passed on to only 27 persons. After
20 years a request for clemency may be put forward. This was only awarded to
very ill persons or persons that have shown possiblities to rehabilitate
themselves. (This is awarded in very rare cases). Life is only awarded to
those with prior sentences concerning related criminal activity. (See the
Pim Fortuym killing). He has two weeks to appeal this sentence.
In his arguments the judge left space to read between the lines that the
commited crime was punished not the consequence of having a radical
religion.
See also:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4716909.stm
Van Gogh killer jailed for life
A Dutch court has sentenced a 27-year-old radical Islamist to life in prison
for the November murder of controversial film-maker Theo Van Gogh.
Mohammed Bouyeri, who has joint Dutch-Moroccan nationality, had made a
courtroom confession and had vowed to do the same again if given the chance.
The murder in Amsterdam stunned the Netherlands. The court ruled that it was
a terrorist act.
The judge said the murder had triggered "great fear and insecurity" in
society.
"The murder of Theo van Gogh provoked a wave of revulsion and disdain in the
Netherlands. Theo van Gogh was mercilessly slaughtered," said Judge Udo
Willem Bentinck.
Brutal killing
Bouyeri had told the court he had acted out of religious conviction.
Clutching a copy of the Koran, he said that "the law compels me to chop off
the head of anyone who insults Allah and the prophet".
Van Gogh, a strong critic of radical Islam, was shot and stabbed in broad
daylight as he was cycling through Amsterdam.
His throat was slashed and the killer also pinned a letter to his chest with
a knife, which threatened Somali-born Dutch MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
She had written the script for Van Gogh's controversial film Submission,
which criticised the treatment of women under Islam.
The trial in Amsterdam took place in a heavily guarded building and about 20
relatives and friends of Van Gogh were present, Radio Netherlands reporter
Eric Hesen told the BBC News website.
Van Gogh's 14-year-old son wept and was embraced by his mother as the
film-maker's death was described in court. Van Gogh was a distant relative
of the famous 19th-Century painter Vincent.
Alleged network
The judgement said the killer had shown "a complete disregard for human
life".
Mr Bouyeri said nothing, but looked "very calm and superior", according to
Mr Hesen.
He was also convicted of the attempted murder of several police officers and
bystanders and illegal possession of firearms. His sentence carries no
possibility of parole. The Dutch are still struggling to understand how
Bouyeri, who was born and raised in Amsterdam, turned to radical Islam, the
BBC's Geraldine Coughlan reports. After this trial, the authorities will
decide if he can be prosecuted separately for membership of a terrorist
organisation.
Twelve other terrorism suspects are awaiting trial in the Netherlands and
prosecutors believe Mr Bouyeri is a key figure in that group, but so far
they have not come up with enough evidence to charge him. After the Van Gogh
murder, mosques in several Dutch cities were the targets of vandalism and
failed arson attempts.
A.
Lorraine
wrote:
>Mohammed Bouyeri, who has joint Dutch-Moroccan nationality, had made a
>courtroom confession and had vowed to do the same again if given the chance.
It looks like the judge made the right decision.
L.
flick
news:a75ce1p60phkka0b1...@4ax.com...
Yeah, he wasn't exactly repentant, was he?
flick 100785