Shoe-Throwing Reporter Says He Was Tortured In Jail
Iraqi Prison Releases Reporter Who Threw Shoes at Bush
Muntazer al-Zaidi is seen on his release from a Baghdad prison on Sept. 15, 2009. An Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at former U.S. President George W. Bush and became a hero among many Arabs has been released from an Iraqi prison.
Iraqi authorities freed Muntazer al-Zaidi from a Baghdad prison Tuesday after he served nine months in prison. Family members and several Iraqi lawmakers greeted him outside the jail.
Al-Zaidi threw his shoes at Bush and called him a "dog" last December in Baghdad as the U.S. leader gave a joint news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Bush ducked and avoided being hit.
After his release, al-Zaidi addressed the media at the Al-Baghdadia TV station where he worked, saying he blames Bush for Iraqi suffering since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of his country. He also accused Iraqi authorities of torturing him in custody with electric shocks and beating him with cables. Al-Zaidi appeared to be in good health but was missing a tooth. He also said that while he is now free, Iraq remains in captivity, as he put it.
Al-Zaidi's protest caused embarrassment to the U.S. and Iraqi leaders. Footage of the incident was viewed widely across the world. It earned al-Zaidi celebrity status among many Arabs, who resent Bush's policies. But many Iraqis also say his protest was nothing to be proud of.
An Iraqi court initially sentenced al-Zaidi to three years in prison, but his term was reduced to one year on appeal and cut further on account of good behavior.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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