Posted on 11/02/2004 3:50:45 AM PST by knighthawk
AMSTERDAM — Film director Theo van Gogh was shot and killed in Amsterdam on Tuesday morning, his production company said.
Theo van GoghBy midday, police had confirmed the film director's death, but earlier reporters at the scene say Van Gogh was shot and stabbed at the front door of the city council office on the Linnaeusstraat in Amsterdam around 9am.
He managed to get to the other side of the street where he was again shot and stabbed. He died at the scene, Planet News reported. Reporters at the scene said his body was covered by a white sheet.
The police said that the suspected killer ran into the nearby Oosterpark and shot at police vehicles on the Mauritskade, injuring one officer. The police returned fire, hitting the suspect in the leg.
Both the injured officer and the suspect have been taken to hospital. Both are expected to live.
Locals claim the assassin looked like "a Muslim" and that a letter was left on Van Gogh's body. The letter allegedly had Islamic text, but this has not been confirmed.
Van Gogh, 47, directed the controversial movie Submission — written by Somali-born MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali — which criticised the Koran for sanctioning domestic violence in Islamic communities.
He recently received numerous death threats following the release of Submission. He was also making a movie about populist Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn who was assassinated in Hilversum in May 2002. The film is due for release on the internet via Tiscali in several weeks time.
Meanwhile, RTL-Z business news reported that Hirsi Ali, who wrote the scenario for the film Submission, has been taken to a secure location by her protection officers. She has had armed protection for more than a year after her life was threatened when she criticised Islam.
She famously described the Muslim prophet Mohammed as a "pervert" by modern standards for marrying a 12-year-old girl.
Late last month a man was jailed for posting a death threat against Hirsi Ali on the internet following the screening of Submission on Dutch television in August.
You don't want to upset the "Religion of Peace." They get real mad and violent.
Europe has a big problem that has been brought about by coddling Islamic terrorists.
The religion of 'Peace'?!?!?
Van Gogh.....any relation to Vincent? (someone had to ask)
Have you seen the movie?
On the Dutch LPF forum I see that some one mentions that they also heard on the police-scanner that the killer had 'an islamic appearance'.
This murder was brought to you by:
the religion of peace and tolerance
Of course this is all Bush's fault.
No, I didn't see it yet. Also Van Gogh just made a movie about the death of Pim Fortuyn, were he harshly critizizes the lefties for demonizing Fortuyn.
When you vote today, remember the treasure of this democracy that was created by our founding fathers. As much as I disagree with the Kerry people, thank God we have an atmosphere where they (and we) have the right to disagree.
Europe gets what she deserves for coddling muzzies.
These are dangerous times.
Yes, actually, although I couldn't tell you the exact relationship.
Can't vote today. I am Dutch and live in the Netherlands. A country really tolerant...
... to the wrong people.
The BBC report says he is related to Vincent, but doesn't say how.
Slowly, slowly the backlash is building. New parties will rise in Europe, that answer the people's wishs.
What an outrage!
Just think of what kind of life the Bush twins will have to lead because of it.
The President knows this and the Secret Service love him and his family. So I pray they are always protected from the muslim scum.
Religion of Peace alert.
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