Dutch filmmaker, known for criticism of Islam, murdered

Two years after the killing of highly popular
anti-immigration populist Pim Fortuyn, Dutch filmmaker Theo van
Gogh is thought to have died a politically motivated
death.

Theo van Gogh, a provocative Dutch filmmaker known for
his critical views on Islam, has been found dead, stabbed
and shot, in the streets
of Amsterdam. 

The death of Mr van Gogh, a 47 year-old distant
relative of the 19th century painter Vincent van Gogh, is
thought to be connected with the release of his
short TV film ‘Submission’, in which he, together
with scriptwriter Ayaan Hirsi
Ali, criticises Muslims for their anti-women and
anti-homosexual views. The short film, broadcast by Dutch
national television earlier this year, shows four
women describing to God, while praying, the sexual and
physical abuse they have suffered by men.

Following the broadcast of ‘Submission’, both
Hirsli Ali and van Gogh received death threats but the
latter refused to accept police protection. “If they
kill me, remember the rule of law has to be protected
against extremists,” he reportedly told Hirsli
Ali.

Soon after the killing, the police arrested a
26-year old man of Dutch and Moroccan
nationality wearing traditional Islamic
clothing. The police has not named the man who so far
does not seem to have any connection with militant
groups and, according to the
police, is not known to Dutch law enforcement
agencies.

The murder brings back memories of the 2002 killing of
Dutch anti-immigration politician Pim Fortuyn, who was
shot dead a few days before national elections.

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