HARDERWIJK is on the edge of the Veluwemeer, the long neck of the Zuiderzee, at the dead centre of the Netherlands.

THE man who shot Dutch anti-immigration politician Pim Fortuyn started out as a passionate animal rights activist who fought against factory farming.

A 32-year-old man has been charged with murdering Dutch far-right leader Pim Fortuyn on Monday.

A 32-year-old man is due to appear in court in the Netherlands today charged with murdering far-right leader Pim Fortuyn on Monday.

The Dutch elections will go ahead on May 15 as scheduled, despite the assassination of right-wing leader Pim Fortuyn, the government announced today.