BAGHDAD: The Iraqi journalist who became a star in the Arab world when he hurled his shoes at visiting US President George W. Bush, appeared before a judge on Wednesday, his brother said.
Durgham al-Zaidi said he and another brother were told by the investigating judge that 29-year-old Muntazar al-Zaidi "had cooperated well," but gave no details.
Under Iraqi law, Zaidi faces up to seven years in jail for "offending the head of a foreign state."
Durgham al-Zaidi said his brother had been taken to Ibn Sina hospital in the heavily fortified Green Zone after being badly beaten by security guards and suffering a broken arm and ribs, as well as injuries to an eye and a leg.
He was unable to say whether Muntazer had sustained the injuries while being overpowered during Sunday's protest or after his arrest.
There was no immediate information about the journalist's condition on Wednesday.
Zaidi grabbed the world's attention on Sunday when he threw his shoes at Bush during the US leader's farewell visit to the country which was invaded by US-led forces in 2003.
He jumped up during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and shouted: "It is the farewell kiss, you dog," and threw two shoes at the US leader.
Bush ducked both shoes and Zaidi, who works for private Iraqi television station Al-Baghdadia, was wrestled to the ground by guards after the action, regarded as the supreme mark of disrespect in the Muslim world. |
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment