The Kafka-esque trial proceedings against Danish journalist and historian Lars Hedegaard today included a final statement by the defendant. Next Monday (January 31,2011) the (pre-ordained) verdict will be handed down. What follows are Mr. Hedegaard's courageous and illuminating, if depressing, remarks. ***My counsel has instructed me that in cases brought under Article 266b, the only thing that determines whether one is convicted or not is a matter of the perceived insult whereas one is barred from proving the truth of the statement. The article deals with public statements whereby a group of people are "threatened, insulted or degraded". But as my lawyer has already noted, I have made no public statement.When it comes to Article 266b, there is no equality before the law. I am daily insulted and degraded by something I read or hear and I am sure that most people have the same experience.For example, I am not only insulted and degraded and threatened, but shaken to the core...(Read Full Post)