THE HAGUE, Tuesday - The Public Prosecutors' Office (OM) has rejected all charges against MP Geert Wilders. Neither his film Fitna nor statements he has made in the past constitute any criminal offences.

In recent months, dozens of individuals and organisations have lodged charges against Wilders for discrimination and incitement to hatred, prompted by his statements and his anti-Islam film Fitna, which was released on 27 March. After examining all the charges in detail, the OM reported yesterday that it saw no grounds for prosecution.

OM spokesman Leo de Wit said that "Wilders' statements only concern Islam as a religious movement" and are not directed against Muslims as individuals. The politician "does not primarily place Dutch Muslims against other groups in society".

Over the last few months, Party for Freedom (PVV) MP Wilders has made statements in various media and on the internet about Islam and the Koran. He said that the Koran should be banned, calling it a fascist book.

One reason the statements cannot be considered an offence is because they were made within the context of the public debate, De Wit explained. Certain statements may be "shocking" and people may be hurt by them, but that does not make them illegal, he added.

The verdict that Fitna contains no elements that violate the law is embarrassing for Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende. He wished to preventively ban the 15-minute film, but lawyers told him this would have no chance of success in court. Besides this, Labour (PvdA), Balkenende's coalition partner, was against a pre-release ban, insiders revealed earlier.

"I knew from the start that I was acting within the limits of Dutch law," the PVV leader said in reaction. "I am pleased that the OM agrees that I did not break the law. I am not surprised."