Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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December 16, 2008

Iraqi Shoe-Thrower Reportedly Injured in Custody
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=210AB13:A6F02AD83191E160A52D52B49B0EDDCE2E7CA1C1B166B639&
 
Muntazer al-Zaidi threw shoes at US President George Bush during Baghdad
news conference Sunday 
In this image from APTN video, man, throws shoe at US President George
W. Bush, left, during news conference with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri
al-Maliki, 14 Dec 2008 The brother of the journalist who threw his shoes
at U.S. President George Bush is saying that the reporter was beaten by
Iraqi security forces who took him into custody. Durgham al-Zaidi said
Tuesday that his brother, Muntazer al-Zaidi, had suffered broken ribs
and other wounds. Thousands of Iraqis demonstrated in the streets Monday
to demand the release of the al-Baghdadiya television journalist.
Protesters marched through Baghdad's Sadr City district and the Shi'ite
holy city of Najaf, many waving shoes in honor of al-Zaidi's act. Iraqi
authorities detained al-Zaidi Sunday after the incident in Baghdad.
Al-Baghdadiya is calling for the reporter's release. The network said
that freeing al-Zaidi would be in line with what it called the "freedom
of expression" the United States has promised all Iraqis. Iraqi
officials have condemned the attack and demanded an apology from his
Cairo-based employer. The Reuters news agency reported that a Libyan
charity group, Wa Attassimou, chaired by leader Muammar Qaddafi's
daughter has given al-Zaidi a bravery award and is also urging his
release. The reporter's colleagues, including Iraqi journalist Zanko
Ahmad, who spoke with VOA's Kurdish Service, said al-Zaidi resented Mr.
Bush and blamed him for the bloodshed in Iraq. Al-Zaidi threw one shoe,
then the other, at President Bush during a Baghdad news conference with
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Sunday. Mr. Bush ducked as each
shoe narrowly missed hitting his head. After throwing the first shoe,
al-Zaidi yelled that it was a "farewell kiss" for Mr. Bush, whom he
called a "dog." He then quickly threw the other shoe, screaming it was
"from the widows, orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."Security
officials took al-Zaidi out of the room, as other Iraqi journalists
apologized. President Bush shrugged off the incident and said he never
felt threate
ned.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.


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