Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush released from jail

15 Sep 2009 08:43:28 GMT
Source: Reuters
BAGHDAD, Sept 15 (Reuters) - An Iraqi reporter who hurled his shoes at then U.S. President George Bush was released from prison on Tuesday, his brother said.

Al-Baghdadiya television showed footage of Zaidi arriving at its station surrounded by guards. He was wrapped in an Iraqi flag and wore black sunglasses. On arrival, the staff at his TV station slaughtered at least three sheep in his honour.

"Today I am free again but my home is still a prison," he told reporters shortly after his release, a swipe at the continued U.S. military presence in Iraq six and half years after the invasion to oust Saddam Hussein.

He was slurring his speech because of a missing tooth.

"Thanks be to God that Muntazer has seen the light of day," brother Uday said. "I wish Bush could see our happiness. When President Bush looks back and turns the pages of his life, he will see the shoes of Muntazer al Zaidi on every page."

Muntazer al-Zaidi, whose act during a news conference last December chimed with the feelings of many Iraqis towards the former U.S. leader, was met outside the jail by parliamentarians who support his case, brother Uday al-Zaidi said.

"He left the jail a few minutes ago and now he's on his way to Baghdadiya TV," Uday said referring to the television channel where his brother worked.

Zaidi was sentenced to three years in jail for assaulting a visiting head of state, but his sentence was later reduced to one year.

An Iraqi court ordered Zaidi's release on Monday because under Iraqi law all prisoners sentenced to one year without previous convictions and who show good behaviour automatically get out after serving three quarters of it.

Millions of people across the world saw online or TV footage of Zaidi throwing his shoes at Bush and calling him a "dog," both insults in the Middle East. It caused huge embarrassment to Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who was stood beside him during the conference.

But many viewers, including in the United States, applauded his bravery. Venezuela's anti-American President Hugo Chavez called him courageous. Fathers from other Arab nations have offered Muntazer their daughters as brides. (Reporting by Suadad al-Salhy; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Jon Hemming)