Intro: Muntazer al-Zaidi

Muntadhar al Zaidi (Arabic: منتظر الزيدي) (alternative spellings in the western media: Muthathar, Muntadar, or Muthathi - al Zaidi or al Zeidi) is a broadcast journalist who works as a correspondent for Cairo-based Al-Baghdadia TV. He first became internationally known for having been detained by "gangs" in Baghdad in 2007 and was also arrested twice by United States armed forces.

On December 14, 2008 Zaidi again drew international attention by throwing his shoes at George W. Bush at a press conference in Baghdad. As he threw the shoes, Al-Zaidi called Bush a "dog" and said "this is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq."Two New York Times reporters described al-Zaidi as having been "embraced around the Arab world." Al-Zaidi found support from his employer,thousands of protesters in Iraq,people in Syria, a charity in Libya,and from "around 200 lawyers" including some U.S. citizens. Al-Zaidi's action was criticised by the Iraqi government.

Zaidi is 29 years old and remains unmarried. Zaidi graduated with a degree in Communication from Baghdad University. He is a Iraqi television journalist and lives within central Baghdad. He has been working as a correspondent for Cairo-based Al-Baghdadia TV since 2005. He first became internationally known for having been detained by "gangs" in Baghdad in 2007 and was also arrested twice by United States armed forces.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muntazer_al-Zaidi

Bravery Award

THE Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W. Bush has been given a bravery award by a Libyan charity group chaired by leader Muammar Gaddafi's daughter.

The charity group Wa Attassimou also urged the Iraqi government to release television reporter Muntazer al-Zaidi after he was detained for hurling footwear at Mr Bush and calling the president a "dog" - both severe insults in the Middle East.

"Waatassimou group has taken the decision to give Muntazer al-Zaidi the courage award ... because what he did represents a victory for human rights across the world," the group, headed by Aicha Gaddafi, said.

The group said the Iraqi authorities should honour the journalist for his actions.

Mr Zaidi, accused by the Iraqi government of a "barbaric and ignominious act" will be tried on charges of insulting the Iraqi state, said the Iraqi prime minister's media advisor, Yasin Majeed.

Saddam Hussein's former lawyer today said he was forming a team to defend the Iraqi journalist.

"So far, around 200 Iraqi and other lawyers, including Americans, have expressed willingness to defend the journalist for free," the Amman-based Khalil al-Dulaimi said.

"I took the decision on Sunday night to defend the man after the incident. I am currently contacting Arab bar associations to form a defence committee."

"It was the least thing for an Iraqi to do to Bush, the tyrant criminal who has killed two million people in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Dulaimi.

"Zaidi should be released immediately."

In January Mr Mr Zaidi was reportedly arrested by American soldiers who searched his apartment building.

He was released the next day with an apology and the experience contributed to his deep opposition to the US military's presence in Iraq, Associated Press has reported.

Arab and Iranian TV stations have gleefully replayed the footage of the shoe-throwing incident, which for many in the region was seen as a fittingly furious comment on what they view as Mr Bush's calamitous Middle East legacy.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24806904-401,00.html

Initial Response

After the incident the Iraqi government criticised al-Zaidi's action and "demanded" an on-air apology from Al-Baghdadia TV.

Al-Baghdadia TV issued a statement demanding al-Zaidi's release. The statement read:

"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 Muntadhar will be considered the acts of a dictatorial regime".

On December 15, 2008 thousands of Iraqis marched in Baghdad to demand the release of al-Zaidi. Crowds gathered in Sadr City district of Baghdad and called for "hero" Muntadar al-Zaidi to be freed from custody. There were similar scenes in Najaf. The demonstrators in Sadr City and Najaf alluded to the shoes. Participants in Sadr City "waved shoes attached to long poles" and those in Najaf threw their shoes at a passing United States military convoy. The "vast majority" of viewers of al-Baghdadia TV who telephoned to the station in order to express their opinions said that they approved al-Zaidi's actions.

Al-Zaidi has been given a bravery award by a Libyan charity group Wa Attassimou, chaired by leader Muammar al-Gaddafi's daughter. The group also urged for al-Zaidi's release. In Syria, al-Zaidi was "hailed as a hero."

Saddam Hussein's former lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi said he was forming a team to defend al Zaidi and that around 200 other lawyers, including Americans, had offered their services for free. Dulaimi said "It was the least thing for an Iraqi to do to Bush, the tyrant criminal who has killed two million people in Iraq and Afghanistan." 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, but if charged with attempted murder he could face a 15-year term.

A Saudi businessman has offered US$10 million to buy the shoes. "The shoes should be exhibited in a museum as they resemble a rocket that talks on behalf of all Iraqis,"

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muntazer_al-Zaidi

The Show Attack Video

From CNN News Report:

Detainment

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. As the man’s screaming could be heard outside, Bush said “That’s what people do in a free society, draw attention to themselves. Traces of blood were visible at the place where al-Zaidi had been dragged by security agents. One of his brothers said that a police officer who picked up Zaidi's cellphone had threatened the family. The United States Secret Service and the Iraqi Police helped take custody of Al-Zaidi. Al-Zaidi was tested for alcohol and drugs, and his shoes were confiscated as evidence.

Muntazer al-Zaider, who's Arabic name has also been translated as Muntadar al-Zeidi, is being held in an undisclosed location by Iraqi authorities. Saddam Hussein's former lawyer is offering his services to defend him in court. His release is being demanded by many in the Arab world.

The Shoe Attack

During a press conference at the Prime Minister's Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, Al-Zaidi threw his shoes at President George W. Bush. Throwing shoes is an act of extreme disrespect in Arab and Islamic culture.

"This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog,"

Yelled Al-Zaidi in Arabic as he threw his first shoe towards the U.S. president.

"This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq"

Al-Zaidi shouted as he threw his second shoe. He was then tackled by Prime Minister Maliki's guards, kicked, and rushed out of the room. In the chaos, White House Press Secretary Dana M. Perino was struck in the eye with a microphone stand. President Bush ducked and avoided being hit by al-Zaidi's shoes.

Some Iraqi reporters present at the scene offered apologies to President Bush.

"Thanks for apologizing on behalf of the Iraqi people. It doesn't bother me,"

Mr. Bush said, and then told a joke that lightened the tense atmosphere in the conference room.

"If you want the facts, it was a size 10 shoe that he threw,"

The President added. 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."

Attack in pictures: http://muntazeral-zaidi.blogspot.com/2008/12/bush-shoe-attack-pictures.html

Bush Shoe Attack: Pictures

2007 kidnapping

Al-Zaidi first drew international attention on November 16, 2007 when he was kidnapped on his way to work in central Baghdad. He was released three days later, on November 19 2007 without ransom. The editor of Al-Baghdadia TV said on the occasion "This is the act of gangs, because all of Muntadhar's reports are moderate and unbiased. Al-Zaidi has also been arrested twice by the United States armed forces in Iraq.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muntazer_al-Zaidi