Prime minister: Government distances itself from Koran film

28 March 2008

AMSTERDAM – The Dutch government distances itself from legislator Geert Wilders’ film Fitna, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said late Thursday.

Balkenende told reporters during a press conference that the Dutch government regretted the fact that Wilders had decided to release the film, even though the government had asked Wilders to refrain from making it public.

Balkenende said that the public prosecutor will investigate whether the film complies with Dutch law.