Van Gogh was killed in November after receiving death threats

Danmarks Radio and TV2 showed the film, which examines abuse against Muslim women, and put clips in news bulletins.

Lawyer Laue Traberg Smidt, representing the group of 20 Muslims, said they were "deeply offended" by the broadcasts.

Danmarks Radio said police had yet to approach them about the complaint. Van Gogh, 47, died in Amsterdam last month.

'Massive coverage'

In an open letter to police, Mr Traberg Smidt said the channels' "massive coverage of the case and its repeated use" of excerpts "seems rather an attempt to contribute to a confrontation and whip up a sentiment against Danes of Muslim faith".

The lawyer said he represented a group of Danish Muslims, who wanted to remain anonymous "because they are afraid of unpleasant (reaction) in the current atmosphere".

We are not airing clips from the film to feed on sensationalism or to offend those who have been offended by it Danmarks Radio news director Lisbeth Knudsen

Spokespeople for both channels denied the claims.

"We are not airing clips from the film to feed on sensationalism or to offend those who have been offended by it (the film)," said Danmarks Radio news director Lisbeth Knudsen.

"We show these clips to put the debate over limited or unlimited freedom of speech into perspective."

Van Gogh was shot and stabbed to death after receiving death threats following Submission's first broadcast on Dutch television in August.