Amsterdam, July 27: Dutch populist politician Geert Wilders, whose anti-Islamic stance is a major part of his programme, on Tuesday condemned the terrorist attacks in Norway as the acts of a ‘madman’.
Wilders distanced himself completely from Friday’s attacks and rejected any suggestion that his own policies and statements could contribute to an atmosphere conducive to such acts.
Neither he nor his Party for Freedom (PVV) could be held ‘responsible for an isolated idiot who abuses freedom-loving anti-Islam ideals in a violent way, even though others might like to see it that way,’ Wilders said in a statement issued on the PVV website.
Breivik mentioned Wilders in his long manifesto, quoting from the Dutch politicians speeches and his film Fitna.
Wilders said this had filled him ‘with repulsion’.
The PVV leader was acquitted just a month ago of charges of inciting hatred against Muslims.
The PVV is the third-largest party in the Netherlands and supports the minority centre-right government through a policy of tolerance, although it is not formally part of it.
–Agencies