Muntadhar al-Zaidi

Muntadhar al-Zaidi
منتظر الزيدي
Born January 16, 1979 (1979-01-16) (age 33)
Iraq
Education Baghdad University
Communications
Occupation Broadcast journalist
Religious belief(s) Shi'a-Muslim
Notable credit(s) Al-Baghdadia TV

Muntadhar al-Zaidi (Arabic: منتظر الزيدي‎ Muntaẓar az-Zaydī)[a] is an Iraqi broadcast journalist who served as a correspondent for Iraqi-owned, Egyptian-based Al-Baghdadia TV. As of February 2011, al-Zaidi works with a Lebanese TV channel.[1]

On November 16, 2007, al-Zaidi was kidnapped by unknown assailants in Baghdad. He was also previously twice arrested by the United States armed forces. On December 14, 2008, al-Zaidi shouted "This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog" and threw his shoes at then-U.S. president George W. Bush during a Baghdad press conference. Al-Zaidi suffered injuries as he was taken into custody and some sources said he was tortured during his initial detention.[2][3] There were calls throughout the Middle East to place the shoes in an Iraqi museum,[4] but the shoes were later destroyed by US and Iraqi security forces to prevent this.[5] Al-Zaidi's shoeing inspired many similar incidents of political protest around the world.[6][7]

Following the incident, Al-Zaidi was "embraced around the Arab world"[8] and was represented by the head of the Iraqi Bar Association at trial.[9] On February 20, 2009, al-Zaidi received a 90-minute trial by the Central Criminal Court of Iraq.[10] On March 12, 2009, he was sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting a foreign head of state during an official visit. On April 7 the sentence was reduced to one year from three years.[11] He was released on 15 September 2009 for good behavior, after serving nine months of the sentence.[12] After his release, Al-Zaidi was treated for injuries and later said he planned to "build orphanages, a children's hospital, and medical and orthopaedic centres offering free treatment and manned by Iraqi doctors and medical staff."[13]

Contents

Biography

Muntadhar al-Zaidi was raised in Sadr City, a suburb of Baghdad, Iraq.[14] He began working as a correspondent for Al-Baghdadia TV in 2005. He first became known as a victim of a kidnapping by unknown assailants in November 2007. Al-Zaidi has also been arrested twice by United States armed forces.[15][16] He lives in a two room apartment within central Baghdad.[17][18] He is of the Shi'a-Muslim faith,[19] and unmarried.[20]

"One of his best reports was on Zahra, a young Iraqi school girl killed by the occupation forces while en route to school," said Ahmed Alaa, a close friend and colleague of al-Zaidi at al-Baghdadia television who talked to Islam Online. Alaa said al-Zaidi documented the tragedy in his reportage, complete with interviews with her family, neighbors and friends. "This report earned him the respect of many Iraqis and won him many hearts in Iraq," he said. Al-Zaidi once also turned down an offer to work for what he termed "a pro-occupation channel".[21] Friends said al-Zaidi had been "emotionally influenced" by the destruction he'd seen in his coverage of the US bombing of Sadr City.[22] Muzhir al-Khafaji, al-Zaidi's boss at the TV station, describes al-Zaidi as a "proud Arab and an open-minded man." He added, "He has no ties with the former regime. His family was arrested under Saddam's regime."[23] On politics, al-Zaidi said "I’m Iraqi and I’m proud of my country." Friends of al-Zaidi said he utterly rejected the occupation and the civil clashes. They said he believed the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement was a "legalization of the occupation."[24]

Sami Ramadani, a political exile from Saddam's regime and a senior lecturer at London Metropolitan University, wrote in an op-ed for The Guardian that al-Zaidi "reported for al-Baghdadia on the poor and downtrodden victims of the US war. He was first on the scene in Sadr City and wherever people suffered violence or severe deprivation. He not only followed US Apache helicopters' trails of death and destruction, but he was also among the first to report every 'sectarian' atrocity and the bombing of popular market places. He let the victims talk first".[25]

Kidnapping and detention

On Friday morning, November 16, 2007, al-Zaidi was kidnapped on his way to work in central Baghdad. Unknown armed men forced him into a car, where he was beaten until he lost consciousness. The assailants used al-Zaidi's necktie to blindfold him and bound his hands with shoelaces. He was held captive with little food and drink and questioned about his work as a journalist. During his disappearance, al-Zaidi was reported missing by Iraq's Journalistic Freedoms Observatory.[15] On November 18, Reporters Without Borders "voiced deep concern" in a statement about al-Zaidi's detention.[26] No ransom demand was made, and al-Zaidi's kidnappers released him still blindfolded, on to a street three days later around 3 a.m. on Monday, November 19, 2007, after which al-Zaidi's brother picked him up.[15] The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees mentioned al-Zaidi's kidnapping in a December 2007 report that listed violent incidents in the media, in particular, incidents targeting journalists in Baghdad. According to the report, "journalists and media workers and other professionals continue to be targets for kidnapping and assassination."[27]

After his kidnapping, al-Zaidi told Reuters; "My release is a miracle. I couldn't believe I was still alive."[15] The editor of Al-Baghdadia TV described the kidnapping as an "act of gangs, because all of Muntadhar's reports are moderate and unbiased."[28] Al-Zaidi has also been arrested twice by the United States armed forces in Iraq.[16] In January 2008, al-Zaidi was detained overnight by US troops as they searched his residence. The soldiers later offered him an apology.[29]

Shoe incident

During a December 14, 2008 press conference at the Prime Minister's Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, al-Zaidi threw both of his shoes at then-United States President George W. Bush. The throwing of shoes is an act of extreme disrespect in the Arab culture.[30] "This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog," yelled al-Zaidi in Arabic as he threw his first shoe towards the U.S. president.[31] "This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq," he shouted as he threw his second shoe.[31] President Bush ducked twice, avoiding being hit by the shoes. Prime Minister Maliki also attempted to catch one of the shoes to protect the President. Al-Zaidi was then pulled to the floor[32] by another journalist,[33] before being grabbed by Prime Minister Maliki's guards, kicked, and rushed out of the room. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino was hit in the face by a microphone boom knocked over by a presidential bodyguard resulting in a clearly visible black eye.[34]

President Bush said some Iraqi reporters had apologized to him, and he said that he thanked them for their apologies. "Thanks for apologizing on behalf of the Iraqi people. It doesn't bother me." Bush joked, "If you want the facts, it's a size 10 shoe that he threw." When asked about the incident by another reporter, Bush said "It's a way for people to draw attention. I don't know what the guy's cause was. I didn't feel the least bit threatened by it."[35] When later asked to reflect on the incident, Bush said "I didn't have much time to reflect on anything, I was ducking and dodging. I'm not angry with the system. I believe that a free society is emerging, and a free society is necessary for our own security and peace," he added.[36] "I don't think that you can take one guy throwing his shoe as representative of the people of Iraq," said White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.[37]

Al-Zaidi was initially held by the prime minister's guards, and was later turned over to the Iraqi army's Baghdad command. The command handed him over to the Iraqi judiciary. Hundreds took to the streets to demand his release.[38] Al-Zaidi could face charges of insulting a foreign leader and the Iraqi prime minister, who was standing next to Bush. A conviction of these charges would carry a sentence of up to two years in prison or a small fine — although it's unlikely he would face the maximum penalty given his newfound "cult status" in the Arab world, according to a Middle-East observer.[20] An Iraqi lawyer has stated that al-Zaidi is likely to get at least two years in prison if he is prosecuted for insulting a visiting head of state.[16] Al-Zaidi went before a judge on December 17, 2008. Al-Zaidi declined to be represented by Khalil al-Duleimi, who defended the late Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein before his execution, and also said that he wanted to be represented by an Iraqi lawyer.[39] "I will introduce myself as his lawyer and demand the case be closed and Muntadher be released because he did not commit a crime," said Dheyaa al-Saadi, al-Zaidi's lawyer and head of the Iraqi Bar Association. "He only freely expressed himself to the occupier, and he has such a right according to international law."[9] On December 17, 2008, al-Zaidi appeared privately before a judge from within the Green Zone.

Injuries

According to witnesses, al-Zaidi was "severely beaten" by security officers after he had been dragged out of the room following the shoe-throwing incident.[8] As the man's screaming could be heard outside, Bush said "That's what people do in a free society, draw attention to themselves."[30] A "large blood trail" could be seen on the carpet where al-Zaidi had been dragged by security agents.[40][41] Dawa-owned Afaq TV reported that security forces kicked al-Zaidi and beat him.[30] His family reports that it has received many threatening phone calls.[42] The United States Secret Service and the Iraqi Police took custody of al-Zaidi.[43] Al-Zaidi was tested for alcohol and drugs, and his shoes were confiscated as evidence.[44] Al-Zaidi was interrogated by Iraqi and U.S. agents to ascertain whether anyone paid him to throw his shoes at Bush.[45] In an interview with BBC News, al-Zaidi's brother, Durgham al-Zaidi, reported that Muntadhar al-Zaidi suffered a broken hand, broken ribs, internal bleeding, and an eye injury.[18] Durgham al-Zaidi told Al Jazeera that his brother was tortured.[46] Al-Baghdadia TV said that al-Zaidi was "seriously injured" during his detention.[46] Al Sharqiya also points to signs of injury on his thighs and an immobile right arm. However, a different brother, Maitham al-Zaidi, spoke with Muntadhar on the phone and was told: "Thank God I am in good health."[45] On Friday 19 December Dhia al-Kinani, the judge investigating the case, said there were signs al-Zaidi had been beaten; al-Zaidi had bruises on his face and around his eyes.[3] The judge also said al-Zaidi had not yet raised a formal charge relating to his injuries.[3] His lawyer, Dhiya'a al-Sa'adi, has also confirmed that al-Zaidi had been beaten, stating that "there are visible signs of torture on his body".[47]

Timeline

Reaction

Following the incident, The New York Times reported that Al-Zaidi was embraced around the Arab world.[8] Al-Zaidi found support from his employer, Awn Hussain Al Khashlok,[74] thousands of protesters in Iraq,[8][44] some Iraqi politicians,[48][49] people in Syria,[8] a charity in Libya,[75] and from "around 200 lawyers" including some U.S. citizens.[16] Al-Zaidi's action was criticised by the government of Nouri al-Maliki.[40] After the incident the office of Nouri al-Maliki criticised al-Zaidi's action and "demanded" an on-air apology from Al-Baghdadia TV.[40] Al-Baghdadia TV issued a statement demanding al-Zaidi's release:[74]

Al-Baghdadia television demands that the Iraqi authorities immediately release their stringer Muntadhar al-Zaidi, in line with the democracy and freedom of expression that the American authorities promised the Iraqi people on the ousting of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.... Any measures against Muntazer will be considered the acts of a dictatorial regime.[16][44]

In Tikrit a copper statue of three meters height was dedicated to his action as a monument. It had his shoe's shape and an honouring poem as an inscription. It was designed by Laith al-Amari.[76] The statue was taken down according to police order shortly after erection.[77] Al Zaidi has been named as the world’s third most powerful Arab, in the Arabian Business Power 100 list 2009.[78]

A Lebanese TV station offered Mr al Zaidi a job and gave a promise that his salary payment would have been started since he threw a shoe. Another joke that was soaring amongst Iraqi society is that then Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki should be "called up" to the national football team as a goalkeeper as his attempt of knocking the shoe off was made "masterfully".[79]

In September 2009, London-based artist Pawel Waniewski created ‘Proud Shoes’ in tribute to Muntazer al-Zaidi's ‘shoe flying' incident. Waniewski's tribute to Mr al-Zaidi’s was a 21kg bronze piece of art depicting the thrown shoes, completely gilded in 24 carat gold.[80]

On 3 March 2010, Blancox, a Columbian detergent manufacturer made an advertisement out of the shoe-throwing incident, by replacing the shoes with beautiful bouquets of flowers to signify 'fabric freshness and softness treasured in it'.[81]

International

Malcolm Smart of Amnesty International said "... the Iraqi authorities have a duty to investigate all allegations of torture or other ill-treatment of Muntadhar al-Zaidi and to prosecute any persons alleged to be responsible for such abuses. The Iraqi authorities should also disclose his whereabouts, ensure that he is permitted prompt and regular access to legal counsel, his family and to any medical attention he requires, and safeguard him from torture or other ill-treatment," he added.[51]

Reporters Without Borders expressed its "regret that [al-Zaidi] used this method of protest against the politics of the American president". It said that "[al-Zaidi] was clearly injured during his arrest" and called for him to be released from custody. It referred to Bush's "relaxed way" of speaking about the incident as a reason for "leniency".[82]

The International Federation of Journalists has said al-Zaidi should be released for humanitarian reasons. "Given the controversy surrounding this incident, we urge the Iraqi security services to guarantee the physical well-being of this journalist, who was clearly injured during his arrest," the statement said. The IFJ said the incident "reflected deep anger at the treatment of Iraqi civilians during US occupation over the past four years of which journalists have been major victims" and that "the journalist might be under threat while in detention "given the record of mistreatment of journalists in custody by US forces."[83]

The Arab Lawyers Union has called for a fair trial for the journalist, with the support of both the Arab League and the Egyptian government. "We urge all human rights organizations and the international society to help save the life of the Iraqi journalist and prevent any physical assault that may target him," union head Sameh Ashour said.[84] Ashour said the union would protect al-Zaidi's life, "which at the moment is under threat."[85]

The Lebanese television channel NTV offered a job to al-Zaidi. NTV said that if al-Zaidi accepted the job offer, that he would be paid "from the moment the first shoe was thrown".[86]

Al-Zaidi's family turned down an invitation by the Venezuelan President to come and live in the Latin American country. "We are grateful to President Hugo Chávez. However we are Iraqis, we live in Iraq," Oudai al-Zaidi said speaking on the behalf of his family.[39]

Former candidate for the President of Pakistan and President of the Pakistan Jurists Association Mian Muhibullah Kakakhel Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan said that the action showed how much the international community hates George W. Bush.[87]

On December 15, 2008, al-Zaidi was given a bravery award by Libyan charity group Wa Attassimou. The group urged for al-Zaidi's release.[8][75]

In Syria, al-Zaidi was "hailed as a hero".[8] The Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim, praised the incident, calling it the "best show of retaliation so far".[88] A commentary in the North Korean newspaper Minju Chosun said Bush "deserved" the shoe throwing incident as a result of "failed policy in Iraq".[89]

Al-Zaidi has also been offered a six-door Mercedes,[90] had a song written about him,[91] had his incident reconstructed in an Afghan comedy sketch,[92] and been offered the hand of a man's 20-year-old daughter in marriage.[93] The young woman Amal Saad Gumaa said she likes the idea of being attached to a man she finds so honorable.[94]

On December 29, 2008, activists at the Iraqi consulate in Washington, D.C. delivered a petition calling for the release of al-Zaidi. "If he had wanted to hurt George Bush, he would have chosen a different weapon," a member of Code Pink said. "We want the Iraqi government and the world to know that there is a very good sentiment for him to be set free," said Nick Mottern, director of Consumers for Peace.[95]

The shoes

A Saudi businessman offered US$10 million to buy the shoes thrown by al-Zaidi.[96] There were also calls from throughout the Middle East to place the shoes in an Iraqi museum.[4][97] The exact manufacturer of the shoes has not been confirmed, but they are believed to be made by a Turkish shoemaker. The shoe, Ducati Model 271, first renamed "The Bush Shoe" and later "The Bye-Bye Bush Shoe", is manufactured by the Baydan Shoe Company in Istanbul.[98] However, a producer in Lebanon suggested that it might have made them instead. Many shoes in Iraq are also made in China. Even so, al-Zaidi's brother insisted that the shoes were made in Baghdad by a highly-reputable firm named Alaa Haddad.[99] On December 18, 2008, Iraqi and American security agents looking for explosives examined and then destroyed the shoes.[5]

Incidents inspired by al-Zaidi

Main article: Shoeing

On December 17, 2008, Queens resident and Amtrak employee Stephen Millies, a protestor at a meeting of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of New York City (MTA), tried to throw his shoe at the CEO of the MTA with the statement, "This shoe is for you!" Millies managed to shake off his left shoe before being stopped and detained by MTA Police.[100]

On December 20, 2008, protesters in Montreal and Toronto threw shoes at posters of George Bush in front of their respective U.S. consulates to support Muntadhar al-Zaidi, to demand his immediate release, and to celebrate his gesture. The shoe tosses took place in -24°C weather during protests against the U.S. military occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, and against Canada's involvement in the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan. At the shoe toss event in Toronto, Ahmed Habib, a refugee from Baghdad, said "We don't think of Muntadhar al-Zaidi as a criminal but, in fact, we think of him as a hero. The only war criminal is George Bush and his buddy Stephen Harper, so shame on the both of them."[101] At the shoe toss event in Montreal, Québec solidaire leader and MNA Amir Khadir threw his shoes at a picture of president Bush and was later criticized and accused of betraying the "dignity and responsibilities of a[n] MNA."[102]

On December 20, 2008, Ukrainian reporter Ihor Dmitriv pelted a Ukrainian politician with a shoe when he became angered by the politician's sexist remarks. Speaking in NATO accession, Oleh Soskin, said NATO membership was more favored by the Ukrainian women as they were "the more intelligent" part of the body politic. Dmitriv said his attack was motivated by the Ukrainian leadership's "craziness" and said "a shoe is going to become a leading means (for common people) to influence their leaders."[6]

The anti-war group Code Pink pelted shoes at an effigy of U.S. president George W. Bush outside the White House on December 17, 2008.[103] Protesters presented their shoes at U.S. Embassies around the world to show their support for al-Zaidi.[104]

On January 12, 2009, Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made fun of the incident and "threatened" to throw his shoes at reporters when visiting Couromoda 2009, a shoes event held in São Paulo.[7]

On January 20, 2009 protesters in the United States shoed an inflatable replica of George W. Bush in replication of al-Zaidi's shoe-throwing incident.[105]

On February 2, 2009, a German protester threw his shoe at Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao as he gave a speech at Cambridge University. The shoe landed on stage a few feet from the premier and the protester was quickly hustled away by security guards.[106]

On February 5, 2009, Israeli Ambassador to Sweden Benny Dagan was hit by a protester's shoe while speaking about the 2009 Gaza War, the shoe throwers reportedly chanted murderer!" and "intifada!".[107]

On March 17, 2009, Canadian protesters in Calgary used shoes as props during their demonstrations, even going so far as to create a "shoe cannon".[108]

The incident has also inspired several online shoe-throwing games,[109] and on the Late Show with David Letterman, the "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches" segment included flying shoes aimed at other presidents (via digitally-altered stock footage).

On 7 April 2009, Union Home Minister of India P. Chidambaram was shoed by Jarnail Singh, a Sikh journalist during a press conference in Delhi. Singh, who works at the Hindi daily Dainik Jagaran was dissatisfied with Chidamabaram's answer to a question on the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) clean chit to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.[110]

On 16 April 2009, Indian Leader of Opposition and Prime Ministerial candidate of National Democratic Alliance, L K Advani was shoed by his own party member, Pawas Agarwal, a former district vice-president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Katni Town in Madhya Pradesh.[111]

On 8 October 2009, A single shoe was hurled at Clifford D. May as a protest by a student named Muhammad Hussain who is also the class representative of his class at Karachi University I.R. Dept. Pakistan.

On 4 November 2009, John Howard, the former Australian prime minister, was delivering a speech about leadership in the new century at Cambridge University when an Australian student called him a racist before taking off his boot and throwing it in his direction.[112]

On 23 October 2009, supporters of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad threw their shoes at opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi as he visited Tehran during the 2009 Iranian election protests. A fight broke out between supporters of Ahmadinejad and Karroubi and one of the Ahmadinejad supporters threw a shoe at him, which hit him in the face and resulted in his turban falling off.[113]

In December 2009, al-Zaidi was himself ironically shoed by another Iraqi journalist in Paris, who accused him of "working for dictatorship in Iraq".[114] The incident occurred while al-Zaidi was speaking about his experiences during the Bush shoeing and its aftermath.[115]

In February 2010, a 26-year old Kurd with Syrian citizenship tried to shoe Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Sevilla, the shoes however missed Erdogan. While throwing the shoes the man called "long live free Kurdistan."[116][117]

On 7 August 2010, Shamim Khan threw a shoe at Asif Ali Zardari, the President Of Pakistan in his address to the Pakistani community at Birmingham. Shamim Khan said that he threw his shoe at him because Pakistan is fighting with the worst flood, and its aftermath, in eighty years and President Zardari was enjoying a week-long trip in Europe instead of being with his people. Shamim Khan is being treated as national hero in Pakistan due to ongoing hatred against President Zardari in Pakistan.[118] The NBC series Kings imitated the shoe throwing incident in the episode "The New King (Part 2)".

On 5 September 2010, Anti-war protesters threw eggs, bottles and shoes at the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair at a book signing event in Dublin, Ireland.[119]

On 11 September 2010, an angry protester threw a shoe at the Greek Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou just moments after he had left the opening of the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair in Thessaloniki, Greece.[120][121]

On 25 October 2010, former Australian Prime Minister John Howard dodged shoes thrown at him live on Australian television Q&A from anti-war protester and environmental activist Pete Gray. This is Howard's second experience with a shoe-throwing protester.[122]

Trial

Al-Zaidi appeared before a judge (not in court but in jail over fears that his injuries could cause anger amongst the public if he was to appear in court) on December 16, 2008, and admitted "aggression against a president." The court decided to keep him in custody. A spokesman for the Iraqi court said that al-Zaidi would face charges of attacking a head of state.[123] Dheyaa al-Saadi, the head of the Iraqi Bar Association and one of its most high-profile attorneys, said that he had volunteered to defend al-Zaidi.[124] Judge Dhiya al-Kenani said the court had refused the journalist's request for bail "for the sake of the investigation and for his own security".[125] According to Abdul Satar Birqadr, spokesman for Iraq's High Judicial Council, al-Zaidi is charged with "assaulting a foreign head of state visiting Iraq."[126]

On December 30, 2008, an Iraqi court said al-Zaidi's trial had been postponed pending an appeal over whether the incident amounted to assault or only insulting a foreign leader. A charge of assault would carry a maximum sentence of 15 years, while charges of insulting a foreign leader carry a maximum sentence of only 3 years. One of al-Zaidi's lawyers said he expected a lengthy trial and a sentence of no less than three years if al-Zaidi is convicted. Dhargham al-Zaidi, said his family would turn to an international court if they found the Iraqi jurisdiction system "biased and unfair."[127] In January 2009, al-Zaidi's lawyers petitioned Swiss authorities for political asylum, arguing that his life is at risk in Iraq.[128]

The trial began before the Central Criminal Court of Iraq on February 20, 2009, which only lasted 90 minutes[10] before being recessed.[129] In testimony before the court, al-Zaidi described his growing frustration as Bush spoke about his victories and achievement at the press conference where the shoe was thrown. As Bush listed the gains made in Iraq during the mid-December news conference, al-Zaidi said he was thinking about the sanctity of mosques being violated, the rape of women, and daily humiliations.[130] Al-Zaidi said Bush's "bloodless and soulless smile" and his joking banter provoked him. "I don't know what accomplishments he was talking about. The accomplishments I could see were the more than 1 million martyrs and a sea of blood. There are more than 5 million Iraqi orphans because of the occupation.... More than a million widows and more than 3 million displaced because of the occupation." al-Zaidi said.[130] "I wanted to restore the pride of the Iraqis in any way possible, apart from using weapons." al-Zaidi said he was tortured, beaten and given electric shocks during his interrogation. Supporters who rallied in front of the court said al-Zaidi should be praised for standing up to Bush rather than punished for his actions.[131] The trial resumed[129] briefly[132] on March 12, 2009 after which sentence was imposed.

Sentencing

On March 12, 2009, al-Zaidi was sentenced to three years of prison for assaulting a foreign leader; under the law he was charged under, he could have faced up to 15 years in prison for assaulting a visiting head of state during an official visit.[133] His lawyers indicated they expect to appeal the sentence.[133] Dhia Al Saadi, the head of Zaidi's defense team and the Iraqi Lawyers Syndicate, argued that "the court sessions should be made public according to the Iraqi penalties law.[134] "This sentence is harsh and is not in harmony with the law, and eventually the defence team will contest this in the appeals court," Dhia Al Saadi further said.[135] Court spokesman Abdul-Sattar Bayrkdar said al-Zaidi received the minimum prison sentence possible under the Saddam Hussein-era law he was charged under and that al-Zaidi could appeal the court's decision.[133]

Upon reading of the sentence, al-Zaidi shouted "long live Iraq."[133] "This judiciary is not just,"[133] al-Zaidi's brother Dargham said. Zaidi's sister shouted "Down with Maliki, the agent of the Americans."[135] Zaidi's brother Uday said he scorns "those who say Iraqi justice is independent" and that the "court was set up according to Paul Bremer decisions."[136] Several family members screamed: "It's an American court... sons of dogs."[137] The family said they would not only appeal but also press ahead with plans to bring torture charges against Bush, Maliki and his bodyguards at a human rights court abroad.[137]

A poll of Iraqis suggested 62 percent of Iraqis regarded al-Zaidi as a "national hero".[133] Maha al-Dori, an Iraqi parliament member, said he felt the ruling showed the judges may have been motivated by political concerns.[138] Iraq's Journalistic Freedoms Observatory said "it is now left to wait for a presidential or prime ministerial pardon, because we cannot accept an Iraqi journalist behind bars."[139]

On April 7, 2009, the sentence was reduced to one year from three years.[11] Judge Abdul Sattar al-Beeraqdar, spokesman for Iraq's Higher Judicial Council, said the court reduced al-Zaidi's sentence because he is young and had no previous criminal record.[140] Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki argued al-Zaidi could have faced 15 years in jail or even execution for insulting a visiting head of state.[141]

Release

Defense attorney Karim al-Shujairi said al-Zaidi would be released on September 14, 2009 after spending nine months in jail, he would be freed early for good behavior.[142] He was released on September 15, 2009 claiming that he had been systematically tortured during his time in jail and one of his front teeth was seen missing. Al-Zaidi said that he had been beaten with electric cables and iron bars and immersed in cold water. On 19 October 2009, while in Switzerland where he expected to have medical treatment for his injuries, he stated, "I suffered a great deal. I still have problems with my teeth, back and other parts of my body where I was tortured."[13] Al-Zaidi also declared, "I am free again, but my homeland is still a prison."[143] On September 15, 2009, al-Zaidi stated "I am not a hero, and I admit that ... I am a person with a stance. I saw my country burning."[144]

Statements following his Release

In an interview which aired on Dream 2 TV on June 12, 2010, Al-Zaidi stated that it was because of "Bush's bloodthirsty nature" that the former president visited Haiti following a massive earthquake. Al-Zaidi claimed that "Bush did not go there for the sake of human rights or for the victims. He went there because he missed the smell of blood, and the stench of destruction that he wreaked on Iraq. So he went there to get a whiff of that smell, because he is a sick man."

Regarding the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States, Al-Zaidi stated in the same interview that:

"We have a saying in Iraqi Arabic – and I'm sure the Egyptian brothers living in Iraq know it. "Away goes a white dog, and along comes a black dog." They are the same, except for the color. Away goes a white US president, and along comes a black president. They are no different."[145]

Al-Zaidi humanitarian foundation

Following his release, al-Zaidi went to Geneva and announced that he had started creating a humanitarian agency/foundation. The aim of the agency would be to "build orphanages, a children's hospital, and medical and orthopaedic centres offering free treatment and manned by Iraqi doctors and medical staff."[13] His lawyer said that al-Zaidi "hopes to surf on the wave of support he has gained to do some good."[13]

Theatre & Film

Mahesh Bhatt produced a play entitled "The Last Salute", directed by Indian director Arvind Gaur and starring Imran Zahid. It was written by Rajesh Kumar and based on Muntadhar al-Zaidi's book. Pooja Bhatt and Mahesh Bhatt announced the making of a film based on the play.

Publications

See also

Notes

a. ^ Alternative transliterations used in Western media: Muthathar, Muntadhar, Muntadar, Muntazer, Muthathi; al-Zeidi also transliterated as "Zeidi" is an Arabic name, meaning abundance or growth or "one who progresses and makes other people progress."

References

  1. ^ Banerjee, Debesh (9 February 2011). "Bush shoe-thrower may get Delhi invite to watch himself on stage". Indian Express. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bush-shoethrower-may-get-delhi-invite-to-wa/747684/. Retrieved 30 December 2011. 
  2. ^ "Bush shoe-thrower 'tortured'". Al Jazeera. 17 December 2008. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/12/2008121618330140949.html. Retrieved 30 December 2011. 
  3. ^ a b c Weaver, Matthew (2008-01-19). "Bush shoe protester has been beaten, Iraqi judge says". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/19/iraq-georgebush. Retrieved 2008-12-19. 
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