Shoe Hurler Gets 3 Years in Prison

Zaidi convicted of assaulting a foreign head of state

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 12, 2009 5:24 AM CDT

(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... Read full story »

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World • Crime & Courts

Iraq • Baghdad • shoes • trial • George W. Bush • protesters • Muntadhar al-Zeidi

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Iraqi Shoe Thrower Has to Dodge One Himself

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(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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(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»

Arab World Head-Over-Heels About Return of 'Hero' Shoe-Tosser

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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 trial of an Iraqi journalist who chucked his shoes at President Bush has been delayed until next month, reports the BBC. The court first needs to consult with the Iraqi government on whether Bush's visit to Iraq was formal or informal, according to the judge. Munthadar al-Zaidi is charged with assaulting a foreign leader and faces 15 years in jail if convicted. More»

Shoe-Thrower Is Instant Hit on Arab Street

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(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 was less amused, charging al-Zaidi with insulting a visiting head of state, which carries a minimum 2-year sentence, the Times reports. More»

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Shoe Hurler Gets 3 Years in Prison

Zaidi convicted of assaulting a foreign head of state

Iraq • Baghdad • shoes • trial • George W. Bush • protesters • Muntadhar al-Zeidi

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More Newser Stories

Iraqi Shoe Thrower Has to Dodge One Himself

Another man fires footwear of his own at Bush critic

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

Trial Postponed for Iraqi Shoe Hurler

Unrepentant journalist says chucking shoes at Bush was protest against US occupation

Shoe-Thrower Is Instant Hit on Arab Street

Demonstrators want journalist who took aim at Bush set free

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