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| Iraq |
| Iraqi journalist's shoes 'destroyed' after George W. Bush attack |
| 2008-12-18 |
| SECURITY agents destroyed the shoes thrown at US President George W. Bush by an Iraqi journalist during checks to ensure they did not contain explosives, the investigating judge says. "The shoes were examined by the Iraqi and American security services and then destroyed," the judge said. Journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi, 29, has been in custody in Baghdad since Sunday's dramatic shoe protest against Bush, which made al-Zaidi an instant sensation in the Arab world. But the judge said the lack of the key piece of evidence in the case would not prevent the investigation from proceeding. "I would have preferred to have had the shoes as evidence for the case but since Muntazer al-Zaidi has confessed to his action and that the television pictures confirm it, the investigation can continue," he said. The journalist's brother has said he was hospitalised after being beaten by security guards and was suffering a broken arm and ribs, as well as injuries to an eye and a leg. There were no details on his condition today. In Bethlehem, about 50 Palestinian journalists staged a bare-footed protest to show solidarity with Zaidi, who relatives and colleagues said had hurled the shoes because he detested Americans and Bush. The sit-in came as hundreds of pilgrims gathered ahead of Christmas celebrations in the city where Christians believe Jesus was born. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #10 Why are they taking it out on the shoes? Someone probably is selling them on ebay. I would be watching out for this. |
| Posted by: Jerry 2008-12-18 15:35 |
| #9 Hey Zaidi, welcome to the rule of law. Didn't see that one coming now, did ya? |
| Posted by: eltoroverde 2008-12-18 15:32 |
| #8 Appears our shoe tosser has had a change of heart... BAGHDAD (AP) - A spokesman for Iraq's prime minister says the journalist who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush has asked for a pardon. Spokesman Yassin Majid says that in a letter sent Thursday to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki the journalist described his behavior as "an ugly act" and asked to be pardoned. Majid says that Muntadhar al-Zeidi in the letter recalls the kindness the prime minister once showed him during an interview in 2005 and asked for al-Maliki to show him kindness once again. Al-Zeidi, a correspondent for an Iraqi-owned television station based in Cairo, Egypt, could face two years imprisonment for insulting a foreign leader. Not having much fun in prison, are we? |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-12-18 12:32 |
| #7 Should'a gave them to Barney to chew on...but Barney would probably spend a lot of time getting the taste out his mouth. Maybe turn them into bowling shoes for last days in the White House. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2008-12-18 11:27 |
| #6 I'd heard the Nigerians had the shoes. I expect they'll be contacting the Saudi guy by email before long. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2008-12-18 11:27 |
| #5 Well now that Saudi guy has 10 mil he can spend on good booze, the baccarat tables in Monaco, and blonde Russian hookers. Insh Allah... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-12-18 11:01 |
| #4 While throwing a shoe at someone is an insult in Arabic culture, it's also a profound embarrassment for the host -- in this case, Maliki and the government. They're not going to be very nice to Mr. al-Zaidi. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2008-12-18 10:37 |
| #3 Bullsh*t! I toldja before, I have the shoes and they're for sale. (no euros) |
| Posted by: Spot 2008-12-18 10:04 |
| #2 suffering a broken arm and ribs, as well as injuries to an eye and a leg Was it worth it? In 3 months nobody will remember your name. And I would have beat your arse at least that bad for throwing your shoes at me. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2008-12-18 09:48 |
| #1 No $10 million jackpot for you! |
| Posted by: ed 2008-12-18 09:26 |