By Andrew L. Jaffee

The BBC calls it a “test of the Netherlands’ tough new anti-terror legislation:”

A court has convicted nine Muslims of belonging to a terrorist group and planning to attack Dutch politicians. …

The complex legal ruling, which took five hours to deliver, said most of the accused were guilty of promoting a violent ideology.

“Anyone who preaches hate and violence lays the basis for committing crimes directed at instilling fear among the people and destroying Dutch democracy,” the ruling said.

“Threatening terrorist crimes strikes public order at its heart.”

We’ve yet to see if the Western World is truly committed to combating Islamism, but there are some positive signs.

Notes: Several of the convicts:

…worked together during a confrontation with police in November 2004, in which a hand grenade was thrown, injuring five officers.

One of those convicted, and the ring-leader, was none other than Mohammed Bouyeri, the man who savagely murdered Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh. Theo dared make a film about the mistreatment of women in Muslim societies.

---

---

Related: Islam, War Against Islamo-fascism, Europe

---