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Shoe-Thrower Is Instant Hit on Arab Street

Demonstrators want journalist who took aim at Bush set free

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 15, 2008 11:10 AM CST

(Newser) – Thousands marched across Iraq today to demand the release of Muntazer al-Zaidi, the little-known Shiite journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush yesterday. Though Bush spent last night making shoe puns—I have my assailant’s “sole,” he quipped—Iraq’s government... Read full story »

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Iraq • Baghdad • shoes • Bush legacy • freedom of press • freedom of speech • George W. Bush • Muntadhar al-Zeidi

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Shoe-Tosser Released, Says 'I Was Tortured'

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(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»

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(NEWSER) - The Iraqi journalist who hurled both his shoes at George Bush during a speech in Baghdad last year will be released early from prison next week to a hero's welcome, a free house and offers of money, a wife, and a gold-saddled horse, reports the Guardian. Muntadar al-Zaidi "is a David and Goliath figure," whose "shoes were his slingshot," said one Iraqi fan. "When the history books are written, they will look back on this episode with great acclaim." More»

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(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»

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(NEWSER) - President Bush never quite got the book thrown at him for invading Iraq, but the next closest thing happened today, CBS News reports. A correspondent for a Cairo-based Iraqi TV station hurled a pair of shoes at the outgoing president during a press conference in Baghdad, shouting, “This is a farewell kiss, dog,” Bloomberg reports. More»

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Another man fires footwear of his own at Bush critic

(NEWSER) - The Iraqi journalist who famously chucked his shoes at George Bush got a taste of what it's like to be on the receiving end today. During a press conference in Paris to push his campaign for "victims of the US occupation," Muntadhar al-Zeidi had to duck when a critic stood up, yelled, "Here's another shoe for you," and let it fly. Like Bush, al-Zeidi managed to dodge successfully, reports AFP . More»

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Shoe-Thrower Is Instant Hit on Arab Street

Demonstrators want journalist who took aim at Bush set free

Iraq • Baghdad • shoes • Bush legacy • freedom of press • freedom of speech • George W. Bush • Muntadhar al-Zeidi

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Shoe-Tosser Released, Says 'I Was Tortured'

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

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Zaidi hailed as Goliath-battling David

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Iraqi Hurls Shoes at Bush

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Iraqi Shoe Thrower Has to Dodge One Himself

Another man fires footwear of his own at Bush critic

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