Thursday April 14, 01:41 AM
Van Gogh's suspected killer breaks his silence at court hearing AMSTERDAM (AFP) - The man accused of killing Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh in November broke his silence and spoke publicly for the first time since his arrest more than four months ago, as he addressed a second procedural hearing in his case in Amsterdam. Mohammed Bouyeri, a 26-year-old Dutch Moroccan who prosecutors say is a Muslim extremist, demanded "a more nuanced and professional" attitude from the prosecution but refused to say anything about his motives. "I want you to be more nuanced and professional in future," he told prosecutor Frits van Straelen. "This was my story, thank you," said Bouyeri, who has been provisionally charged with murder, attempted murder and membership of a terrorist organisation. Van Gogh, a distant relative of 19th-century painter Vincent van Gogh, was shot and stabbed while he was cycling in Amsterdam last November. He was widely known for his criticism of Islam and had caused an uproar with "Submission", a short film linking domestic abuse with the perceived subservient position of women in the Islamic faith. Bouyeri was arrested shortly after the fatal attack as he tried to flee the scene, according to police. Authorities say he did not agree with the filmmaker's outspoken criticism of Islam. Despite prompting from the judges on Wednesday, Bouyeri, who wore a black skullcap and sported a beard, refused to anything more about the case against him. He has refused to speak during police interrogations and has not cooperated in a court-ordered psychiatric examination. Bouyeri was not present at a first procedural hearing on January 26, but his lawyer Peter Plasman told the court at the time that his client "can and wants to be held fully responsible for his action". On Van Gogh's body, authorities found a letter threatening Dutch lawmaker Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who wrote the script for "Submission", quoting profusely from the Koran. Bouyeri is also facing charges of obstructing Hirsi Ali from carrying out her duties as a member of parliament. His trial is scheduled to start on July 11. If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. The prosecution is still investigating whether or not Bouyeri acted alone. According to Van Straelen, several cell phone conversations which were intercepted show "that at least a number of people in the suspect's circle must have known what he was planning to do on November 2nd", the day Van Gogh was killed. "There are many clues that Bouyeri had help with the murder of Van Gogh but there is not yet conclusive evidence. The investigation into possible helpers is still ongoing," the prosecutor told the court. There is also an ongoing investigation to determine whether there are any links between Bouyeri and a dozen other suspects arrested shortly after Van Gogh's murder who are awaiting trial on charges of membership of a terrorist organisation. The prosecution is in addition looking into a large number of CD-ROMs found in Bouyeri's home featuring pictures and film material of gruesome executions and torture. The material "gives a clear insight into the morbid interests of the accused," Van Straelen added. Bouyeri remained visibly unmoved during the prosecution's run-down of the evidence against him. He only let his emotions show when he asked to address the court. With a slighly faltering voice Bouyeri said the prosecutor had falsely implied that his brother had tried to smuggle out a document for him. "I am here today to negate this false view," he said. <http://au.news.yahoo.com/050413/19/ty6o.html> http://au.news.yahoo.com/050413/19/ty6o.html [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> DonorsChoose. A simple way to provide underprivileged children resources often lacking in public schools. Fund a student project in NYC/NC today! http://us.click.yahoo.com/EHLuJD/.WnJAA/cUmLAA/TySplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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