Iraqi Shoe Thrower Has to Dodge One Himself

Zaidi convicted of assaulting a foreign head of state

(NEWSER) - The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W. Bush during a Baghdad press conference has been sentenced to three years in prison, the Guardian reports. Muntadar al-Zaidi had pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting a foreign head of state, saying his actions were "a natural response to the occupation." His family erupted in anger at the decision, delivered in a Green Zone court normally used for terrorism cases. More»

Government rejects monument's 'political motives'

(NEWSER) - The large, shoe-shaped sculpture made to honor an Iraqi journalist’s gesture of defiance against former President Bush was removed from the garden of a Tikrit orphanage just a day after it was put up, CNN reports. The government requested the removal, and sent police to supervise. “We will not allow anyone to use the government buildings for political motives,” said an official. More»

Reporter al-Zeidi leaves prison after tossing shoe at Bush last year

(NEWSER) - The Iraqi reporter who was locked up for throwing his shoes at George W. Bush says he was tortured in prison, the BBC reports. He was released today after nine months in a Baghdad jail, Reuters notes, and says he plans to identify those officials who tortured him. Relatives say he’s still scared for his life. “Today I am free again but my home is still a prison,” Muntadar al-Zaidi told reporters. More»

Family ready to celebrate reporter's defiance

(AP) - The Iraqi reporter jailed for throwing his shoes at George W. Bush will not be released today as planned due to paperwork processing delays, his brother says. Muntadhar al-Zeidi's family had gathered at dawn outside an Iraqi army base where he was expected to be released from prison. After waiting more than five hours, his brother said al-Zeidi called to tell him he wouldn't be released until tomorrow. More»

(NEWSER) - The Iraqi journalist jailed for throwing shoes at President Bush last year could be out as soon as Monday, his lawyer tells CNN today. Muntadar al-Zaidi had a 3-year sentence reduced to 1 on appeal, and that can be cut further for good behavior. “We are happy,” one of his brothers says, “like any detainee’s family would be happy for the release of its son after the bitter time he spent in jail.” More»