Wilders team in bid to discredit judge

The trial of the Dutch anti-Islam politician, Geert Wilders, resumed yesterday with defence lawyers seeking to discredit a judge who ordered the MP to face trial on charges of inciting hatred against Muslims.

Mr Wilders, leader of the country's third-largest political party, says he has done nothing wrong by expressing his opinions that Islam is a violent ideology comparable with fascism, and that the Koran should be banned.

Defence witness Hans Jansen, a retired professor of Arabic and Islamic studies, testified that he had been approached at a private dinner by appeals judge Tom Schalken to discuss the case shortly before the trial was to start. Defence lawyers argue that contact was inappropriate and grounds for dismissing the case.

Dutch Muslims say Mr Wilders' anti-Islam rhetoric has led to increased discrimination.