Geert Wilders is a nasty piece of work. The far-right politician has compared the Koran to Mein Kampf and called Islam fascist.
But why, oh why, are the authorities in the Netherlands playing into his hands by putting him on trial for saying the vile things he says?
They will only succeed in making him a martyr to free speech, and boost his electoral popularity.
The right way to tackle him is by confronting his arguments, not trying to silence him.