E.G.M.S. Web

Murder Van Gogh, that despite the death threats received eluded police protection, was killed shortly after by a Dutchman of Moroccan Islamist on the street. Van Gogh was riding his bicycle to work when Mohammed Bouyeri, 26 years and member of a radical Islamist organization, shot him, knocking him off the bicycle. Bouyeri, wearing a djellaba eventually killed him at close range on the floor with twenty more shots, stabbed him several times and finally beheaded. In the body of the director, stuck with a knife in the chest, the murderer left a five-page letter, signed “in the name of Allah”, which included threats to Western governments, Jews and non-believers in Muhammad. The letter was addressed to Ayaan Hirsi Ali and promised her and other leaders Dutchmen (citing by name) a similar end.The ritual murder and the manner in which it occurred caused a huge uproar in the Netherlands, to the point that some called the “September 11” Dutchman. For the first time opened a frank discussion of fundamentalism and the integration of immigrants in the Netherlands which, until then (with some exceptions such as Pim Fortuyn) – had escaped or been deemed inappropriate. The perpetrator, Mohammed Bouyeri, was arrested shortly after, following an exchange of gunfire with police as a result of which he was wounded in the leg. Born in Amsterdam, apparently well educated and well integrated, not responding to the profile of lone madman. He was accused by prosecutors of six professional charges. Bouyeri’s trial was held during the month of July 2005. “I acted purely in the name of my religion,” said the Court “Someday, if I freed, would do exactly the same.”Addressing van Gogh’s mother, said: “I can not feel anything for you because I think it … an infidel.” On 26 July 2005 he was sentenced to life imprisonment. While the trial was held, an Amsterdam city council refused to erect a memorial in memory of Theo van Gogh at the scene of the murder because it could cause division. Only the protests of the mother, who called cowards municipal council members, get them to change their minds. Finally, on 18 March 2007 was inaugurated a sculpture in its report entitled The Scream, which represents the director shouting in defense of freedom of expression. Oosterpark is located in the east of Amsterdam, near where he was killed.