"Following threats to our staff of a very serious nature, and some ill informed reports from certain corners of the British media that could directly lead to the harm of some of our staff, LiveLeak.com has been left with no other choice but to remove Fitna from our servers," it said in a statement monitored by BosNewsLife.
Yet the film could still be viewed via different Web sites, BosNewsLife established. They included:http://www.fok.nl/mirror/fitna.html andhttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3369102968312745410
LiveLeak did not specify the threats, however the decision came as in Pakistan angry Muslims in the southern city of Karachi protested the release of Fitna, with members of the hard-line Islamist party Jamaat-i-Islami chanting "Death to the filmmaker" and demanding that the government sever diplomatic ties with The Netherlands, reports said.
"This is a sad day for freedom of speech on the net but we have to place the safety and well being of our staff above all else," the LiveLeak.com stressed, adding that it had been supported by people of different backgrounds.
"We would like to thank the thousands of people, from all backgrounds and religions, who gave us their support. They realized LiveLeak.com is a vehicle for many opinions and not just for the support of one," LiveLeak.com explained. "Perhaps there is still hope that this situation may produce a discussion that could benefit and educate all of us as to how we can accept one another’s culture."
NO REGRETS
LiveLeak maintained it had no regrets over its decision to host the film of Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders, which was viewed at least seven million times since its first release late Thursday, March 27.
"We stood for what we believe in, the ability to be heard, but in the end the price was too high," LiveLeak.com said.
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