Muslim confesses to van Gogh murder: “I did what I did purely out my beliefs”

July 12, 2005

Muslim confesses to van Gogh murder: “I did what I did purely out my beliefs”

In other words, he acted as a Muslim, not because of poverty or discrimination or any other fashionable cause. He acted in accordance with the death penalty for blasphemy according to Islamic law. “Van Gogh murder suspect confesses to killing,” from MSNBC

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands – A Dutch-Moroccan man confessed in court on Tuesday to murdering a filmmaker critical of Islam last year, breaking his silence over a killing that fanned religious and racial tension in the Netherlands.

Mohammed Bouyeri was accused of killing Theo van Gogh as he cycled to work in Amsterdam on Nov. 2, 2004. He was charged with shooting and stabbing Van Gogh before slashing his throat and pinning a note to his body with a knife in broad daylight.

Van Gogh, a descendent of the brother of the 19th century Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, was known for his outspoken criticism of Islam and angered many Muslims by making a film which accused Islam of condoning violence against women.

“I did what I did purely out my beliefs,” the 27-year-old Muslim told judges after entering court clutching a Quran. “I want you to know that I acted out of conviction and not that I took his life because he was Dutch or because I was Moroccan and felt insulted.”

The bearded suspect, dressed in a black robe and black and white headscarf, praised Allah and the Prophet Mohammed before admitting to the killing on the second day of his trial in Amsterdam’s high-security court.

Jihad Watch: Muslim confesses to van Gogh murder: “I did what I did purely out my beliefs”