Calling the man “courageous” at Friday’s peaceful protest against the recent action by Afghanistan-based US military members, he told about 100 people, “In 2004, Mohammed Bouiri, a young and courageous Moroccan man, killed the Dutch filmmaker in the middle of the street by shooting and stabbing him in retaliation for the Quran and love of Islam.”

47-year-old Mr Van Gogh made a film in collaboration with Somali-born writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali. ‘Submission’ criticised the treatment of women in Islam. The film was perceived as being insulting to Islam and aroused a lot of controversy amongst Muslims.

He was shot on 02nd November that year whilst cycling through the streets of Amsterdam. Mr Bouiri then put two knives into the filmmaker’s body, one of which had Quran verses tied to it.

Following Friday’s demonstration, many felt that Mullah Krekar, who is currently on trial for making death threats against Conservative Party (H) leader Erna Solberg, amongst others, should not have been allowed to attend an event like this.

“He is considered a threat to the country and letting him demonstrate in front of parliament is an admission of failure. Mullah Krekar should be in custody until he is sent out of Norway,” Ketil Solvik-Olsen of the Progress Party (FrP) told NRK,

Labour Party (Ap) representative Arild Stokkan-Grande MP believes that Krekar’s comments “should be considered as an incitement to terror as he said this at a public meeting.”

The prosecution has asked the Mullah be jailed for five years from his reprisal killing menaces.

---