Hofstad Group designated a "terrorist organization"

A landmark ruling in Dutch legal history. The group around Mohammed Bouyeri has been designated a terrorist organization by the Dutch court in Amsterdam. One member, Jason Walters, was sentenced to 15 years in jail. Another suspect, Ismail Akhnikh, will have to serve a 13 year sentence. (Apart from life sentences, jail time is usually commuted by one third, meaning Walters will probably be out in 11 years and Akhnikh in nearly 9 years.)

14:03

permalink comment(s) (0) trackback(s) (0)

War with *snort* Venezuela

Didn't have too high an opinion of Hugo Chávez before, but this is downright ridiculous:

As exemplified by most of his speeches, Chávez maintains the idea that the Bush administration wants to invade Venezuela, and on this day assured the country that a larger and better equipped army was necessary for protection against the United States. Continually evoking struggle of a revolution against imperialism, Chávez demanded that Puerto Rico, Netherlands Antilles, Guadalupe, the Maldives and the Virgin Islands be released from outside control, his voice gaining momentum, crescendoing in outrage as he listed off every island in captivity.

There's also a Dutch article in newspaper De Telegraaf and this one on a blog by a professor of Leiden University, both citing Chavez's desire to annex the Netherlands Antilles.

It's going to be some showdown. The Venezuelan navy attacking a Dutch vessel with one of their - er - 'state of the art' 120 mm mortars? Mate, we've got stealth ships and Goalkeepers, and I'm not referring to the upcoming soccer world championship.

Perhaps we'll get our very own Falklands after all. Dutch blogger Retecool has engaged in some pre-emptive victory celebrations by starting a Photoshop contest in which Chavez features as the new Imperious Leader of the Netherlands Antilles.

1:52

permalink comment(s) (4) trackback(s) (0)