By Bobby Rajabi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
BAGHDAD, Iraq – The Iraqi television reporter who famously threw his shoes at President George W. Bush in December 2008 was released from prison on September 15. Muntazer Al-Zaidi was released after serving nine months of a three-year sentence. Al-Zaidi’s sentence was ultimately reduced to one year on appeal and he was released three months early as a result of good behavior. Al-Zaidi is now claiming that he was tortured during his time in a Baghdad prison by Iraqi authorities.
While addressing the media after his release, Al-Zaidi asserted that the torture began once he was arrested for throwing his shoes at now former President Bush. The Iraq television journalist alleged that during his time in prison he was subjected to beatings and whippings. Al-Zaidi claims that electric cables and iron bars were used to torture him. He claims that he was also subjected to electric shock torture outside a building in the Green Zone, the area used by United States forces in Baghdad. Additionally, Al-Zaidi, covered in an Iraqi national flag and surrounded by reporters, claimed that he was subject to water boarding by Iraqi authorities. Al-Zaidi now claims that he fears that his life is in danger and that U.S. intelligence forces could possibly pursue him.
The incident late last year came during a joint press conference with President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Al-Zaidi feigned asking President Bush a question and proceeded to hurl his shoes at him. President Bush was able to duck both shoes before journalists took Al-Zaidi down. Before throwing his shoes, Al-Zaidi yelled at the President, blaming him for the number of Iraqi casualties that followed the United States-led invasion in 2003. He told the President that the shoes were a “farewell kiss.”
Al-Zaidi’s release from jail has lead to joy in some parts of the Arab world. It is expected that great opportunities await Al-Zaidi, who previously worked as a little known reporter in Baghdad. There are rumors that Al-Zaidi will receive much more lucrative offers from bigger Arab stations. Additionally, there is talk of proposals of marriage from Arab women and gifts from businessmen throughout the Middle East. Al-Zaidi has also been promised citizenship and one hundred thousand dollars by a well-known critic of President Bush, President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.
For more information, please see:
AFP – Iraq Shoe-thrower Freed From Jail – 15 September 2009
Guardian – Iraqi Shoe-thrower Claims he Suffered Torture in Jail – 15 September 2009
Al Jazeera – Shoe-thrower Flown Out of Iraq – 16 September 2009
Chicago Tribune – Iraqi Shoe Thrower Freed: As He Is Released, Muntadhar al-Zeidi Says He Was Tortured in Jail – 16 September 2009
San Francisco Chronicle – Shoe Thrower Leaves Prison, Alleges Torture– 16 September 2009
