Accused admits killing Dutch politician, Fortuyn

An animal rights activist has confessed in court to killing Dutch politician Mr Pim Fortuyn.

An animal rights activist has confessed in court to killing Dutch politician Mr Pim Fortuyn.

"I could see no other option than to do what I did," Mr Volkert van der Graaf told the first day of his trial for the May 2002 murder - just days before a general election.

Mr van der Graaf said the populist List Party (LPF) leader was a threat to society who "abused democracy". But the assassination created a wave of sympathy for Mr Fortuyn's fledgling party and they swept into a coalition government in the ensuing election.

But infighting in the three-way centre-right coalition led the collapse of government after fewer than 100 days in office. The party was then routed in the election that followed in January.

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"I got the impression he was looking for a scapegoat he could use to increase his popularity. That was a great concern to me," said Mr Van der Graaf, a vegan animal rights campaigner from a small town in the Dutch "Bible belt".

The 33-year-old was arrested minutes after Mr Fortuyn was gunned down at close range outside a radio station in Hilversum, near Amsterdam. He confessed in November to the Netherlands' first political assassination in more than 300 years.

Mr Fortuyn, an openly gay former sociology professor who said he wanted to be prime minister, soared to prominence with his controversial brand of populism and angered opponents with calls for zero immigration and by branding Islam "backward".

The trial also heard that condoms stuffed with explosive were found at the accused's home after his arrest, as well as ammunition that matched bullet casings found at the crime scene.

The trial continues on Monday with a verdict expected in mid-April. Mr Van der Graaf, could get a life sentence if convicted.