A terrible day, says Dutch politician accused of racism

A Dutch politician went on trial in Amsterdam today for alleged hate speech.

Geert Wilders is accused of inciting hatred against Muslims by comparing Islam to Nazism and by calling for a ban on the Koran. He wrote in a newspaper article: "I've had enough of Islam in the Netherlands; let not one more Muslim immigrate."

Mr Wilders argues he has a right to freedom of speech. If convicted, he faces up to a year in prison but he could keep his seat in parliament.

Mr Wilders wrote on Twitter that the start of his trial was a "terrible day". "The freedom of expression of at least 1.5 million people is standing trial together with me," he said, referring to the voters that made his Freedom Party the third-largest in June elections.

His party has agreed to support a new conservative government forming this month. In return, his political allies have promised to carry out much of his anti-immigration agenda. A verdict is expected on November 4.