on, 14 Sep 2009 08:09:13 GMT
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Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi as he hurled his shoe at former US president George W. Bush, Dec. 14, 2008. |
The Iraqi journalist, Muntazer al-Zaidi, jailed for throwing his shoes at former US president George W. Bush is slated to be released today.
"We will know by about 9 am (0600 GMT) on Monday if he is to be released," AFP reported al-Zaidi's lawyer, Dhiya al-Saadi, as saying on Monday.
Al-Zaidi was initially sentenced to three years for assaulting a foreign head of state, but had his jail time reduced to one year on appeal.
The 30-year-old television reporter is set to be freed early because of good behavior.
According to Al-Zaidi's family, the reporter is expected to leave jail on Monday.
"We are preparing for his release," said Zaidi's elder brother, Durgham.
"This is not a favor from the Iraqi government - this is what he deserves. There was no charge by President Bush or Iraq's Foreign or Justice Ministries. The jail sentence was a matter of revenge because what he did was in the presence of the Iraqi Prime Minister," he added.
Zaidi shouted "it is the farewell kiss, you dog," at Bush on December 14 last year, seconds before hurling his size-10 shoes at the former US president who was speaking at a joint press conference in Baghdad on what was his farewell visit to the war-torn Iraq.
Bush ducked and narrowly avoided the shoe, but astonished security guards, officials and journalists watched as Zaidi then threw his other shoe, shouting, "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq!"
The incident captured many Iraqis' feelings of resentment after more than six years of bloodshed triggered by the US-led invasion in 2003.
The Cairo-based al-Baghdadia television network where Zaidi worked as a reporter has said he's welcome to come back. The channel paid his salary throughout his imprisonment.
Since Zaidi's December 14 outburst and his subsequent arrest, thousands have demonstrated for his release, hailing his gesture.
"We will know by about 9 am (0600 GMT) on Monday if he is to be released," AFP reported al-Zaidi's lawyer, Dhiya al-Saadi, as saying on Monday.
Al-Zaidi was initially sentenced to three years for assaulting a foreign head of state, but had his jail time reduced to one year on appeal.
The 30-year-old television reporter is set to be freed early because of good behavior.
According to Al-Zaidi's family, the reporter is expected to leave jail on Monday.
"We are preparing for his release," said Zaidi's elder brother, Durgham.
"This is not a favor from the Iraqi government - this is what he deserves. There was no charge by President Bush or Iraq's Foreign or Justice Ministries. The jail sentence was a matter of revenge because what he did was in the presence of the Iraqi Prime Minister," he added.
Zaidi shouted "it is the farewell kiss, you dog," at Bush on December 14 last year, seconds before hurling his size-10 shoes at the former US president who was speaking at a joint press conference in Baghdad on what was his farewell visit to the war-torn Iraq.
Bush ducked and narrowly avoided the shoe, but astonished security guards, officials and journalists watched as Zaidi then threw his other shoe, shouting, "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq!"
The incident captured many Iraqis' feelings of resentment after more than six years of bloodshed triggered by the US-led invasion in 2003.
The Cairo-based al-Baghdadia television network where Zaidi worked as a reporter has said he's welcome to come back. The channel paid his salary throughout his imprisonment.
Since Zaidi's December 14 outburst and his subsequent arrest, thousands have demonstrated for his release, hailing his gesture.
updated ;
13 September 2009
Iraq shoe-thrower's release delayed
14 September 2009
Iraqi shoe-thrower's release held back ! (Videointerview with Muntazer al-Zaidis Brother )
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