BRUSSELS — Private and public television stations have refused to air the anti-Muslim film “Fitna” by Dutch politician Geert Wilders, fearing a violent backlash that prompted the government to raise its terror threat level yesterday.
“I had hoped that a television broadcaster would say: ’You have the right to do this, we will give you a podium’,” he told Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad.
A Justice Ministry statement said, “While there are no concrete indications of impending attacks in the Netherlands, the increased international terrorism threat has prompted [us] to raise the threat level for the Netherlands.”
Mr. Wilders, who leads a small anti-immigration party, claims in his 15-minute film that the Koran is a fascist book and the basis of modern-day terrorism.
He set up a Web site (www.fitnathemovie.com) and tentatively scheduled an airing for the press on March 28, when he expects to post the movie online.
The Taliban has threatened to target 1,600 Dutch soldiers stationed in the country if the movie is shown.
In negotiations with several private and public television stations this week, Mr. Wilders insisted that his film not be censored or edited. The networks were unwilling to meet those demands, the Dutch newspaper de Vokskrant reported.
The terrorism level was raised from “limited” to “substantial,” No. 3 on the four-level Dutch alert system.
Tjibbe Joustra, the national counterterrorism coordinator, said he doesn’t think attacks are imminent but is suspicious of al Qaeda cells in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Mr. Wilders has offered to show the film to Mr. Joustra before it is aired.
A local newspaper reported Monday that the Dutch government is considering banning the film on the grounds of national security.
The government is reluctant to set a precedent against freedom of expression, but is worried about a violent backlash and economic repercussions.
The film has provoked official condemnations from Iran, Bangladesh and Pakistan and sparked several demonstrations in Afghanistan.
The Taliban announced on its Web site that it will not tolerate the “Crusader war” waged through “Fitna” and the reprinted Danish cartoons of the prophet Muhammad.
The cartoons, first printed in September 2005, sparked global riots in which more than 100 people died.
In Afghanistan, protesters demanded that Danish and Dutch NATO troops withdraw from their country, Reuters news agency reported.
Mr. Wilders is defiant against pleas from Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, who asked him to reconsider releasing his film. He responded that Mr. Balkenende was a “weak leader” and spineless for refusing to stand for freedom of expression.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.