Posted by madam doom on September 19, 2009, 21:32:07, in reply to "'Why I threw the shoe'"
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/23979ede-a259-11de-9caa-00144feabdc0.html
Iraqi 'shoe-thrower' in torture claim
By Nada Bakri in Baghdad
Published: September 16 2009 03:00 | Last updated: September 16 2009 03:00
The Iraqi television journalist who hurled his shoes at George W. Bush, then-US president, was released yesterday after nine months in prison during which he said he was severely tortured.
Muntadar al-Zaidi, whose act turned him into a hero in parts of the Arab and Muslim worlds, said his life was in danger in Iraq and his family said that he would flee the country.
Mr Zaidi was given a three-year sentence, that was later reduced to one, for insulting a head of state.
"Here I am free while my country is still in captivity," Mr Zaidi said in a speech at the TV station where he had worked. He was wearing a dark suit and appeared to be in good physical condition, except for a missing front tooth.
Mr Zaidi said he was beaten with iron bars and received electric shocks while in prison and would identify his torturers.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/22/iraq-georgebush
Bush shoe-thrower 'tortured into writing letter of apology'
David Batty
guardian.co.uk, Monday 22 December 2008 09.12 GMT
The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George Bush was tortured into writing a letter of apology, his brother said today.
Muntazer al-Zaidi was wrestled to the ground after throwing his shoes during a news conference held by the US president and the Iraqi prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, on 14 December.
The investigating judge in the case said last week that Zaidi, who will stand trial on 31 December, was beaten around the face and eyes. Zaidi's brother, Uday, said the journalist suffered worse injuries, including a missing tooth and cigarette burns to his ears, and would sue.
Zaidi is in custody and faces up to two years in jail for insulting a foreign leader. Maliki's office said last week that Zaidi had written a letter of apology and asked him to recommend a pardon.
Uday al-Zaidi said his brother told him the letter was written against his will because he was subjected to torture, including being doused with cold water while naked.
"He told me that he has no regret because of what he did and that he would do it again," Uday said. "The thing that makes you cry and laugh at the same time is that when the prime minister said that my brother was not tortured and will not be tortured, he was under severe torture by security authorities."
Maliki said Zaidi admitted in the letter that a terrorist had induced him to throw the shoes. "He revealed … that a person provoked him to commit this act and that person is known to us for slitting throats," Maliki said, according to the prime minister's website. The alleged instigator was not named.
Maliki said his government remained "committed to protecting the journalist in performing his professional duty," and guaranteed him the right to practise his profession "on condition that he does not violate the dignity of others".
Neither Bush nor Maliki have sought charges, but investigating judge Dhia al-Kinani said last week he did not have the legal option to drop the case.
Footage of Zaidi attacking Bush was repeatedly broadcast worldwide and he has become a symbol for opponents of the US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq. Thousands of Iraqis have rallied to demand his release.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8256525.stm
Page last updated at 13:57 GMT, Tuesday, 15 September 2009 14:57 UK
Iraq shoe thrower 'was tortured'
The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at former US President George W Bush says he was tortured by senior government officials while in jail.
Shortly after his release from nine months in a Baghdad prison, Muntadar al-Zaidi demanded an apology - and said he would name the officials later.
Iraqi officials told the BBC his claims should be investigated.
His protest last December made him a hero for many Arabs. He was convicted of assaulting a foreign leader.
Initially, he was sentenced to three years in jail.
But he had the term reduced to 12 months on appeal and was released three months early for good behaviour.
'Insurgent revolutionary'
After his release on Tuesday he told journalists: "I am free again, but my homeland is still a prison."
Reuters news agency reported he was slurring his speech because of a missing tooth.
He went on to say he had suffered beatings, whippings, electric shocks and simulated drowning at the hands of officials and guards.
"At the time that Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said on television that he could not sleep without being reassured on my fate... I was being tortured in the worst ways, beaten with electric cables and iron bars," he said.
He demanded an apology from Mr Maliki and said he would name the officials who tortured him in due course.
Many Iraqis regard Muntadar al-Zaidi as a national hero - others think he was unforgivably rude.
After leaving prison, Mr Zaidi went straight to al Baghdadiya, the TV station he was working for at the news conference where he threw the shoes.
Addressing his own news conference, he said he had been tortured in jail.
A spokesman for the ministry of human rights told us that if he was badly treated, it's likely that it happened while he was in custody before his trial, and not in the prison where he spent the past nine months, as it is a jail with a good reputation.
Shoe thrower welcomed home
He also said he feared US intelligence services regarded him as an "insurgent revolutionary" and would "spare no effort" in a bid to kill him.
"I want to warn all my relatives and people close to me that these services will use all means to trap and try to kill and liquidate me either physically, socially or professionally," he said.
His allegations of abuse mirror claims made earlier by his family, who said he had been beaten, suffering a broken arm, broken ribs and internal bleeding.
The Iraqi military earlier denied the allegations, but following Zaidi's news conference Sami Al Askari, an adviser to Mr Maliki, said his torture claims should be investigated.
Zaidi's family has been preparing to throw a party for him.
He has reportedly received offers of money, jobs and even marriage from across the Arab world.
His relatives say he was offered a golden horse by the Emir of Qatar.
Zaidi shouts "this is the end" as he throws his shoes at President Bush
When news of his release filtered through to his family's home in Baghdad, there was an eruption of celebration, with women dancing and singing.
'Goodbye kiss'
The shoe-throwing incident came during a joint news conference between Mr Bush and Mr Maliki.
As he threw the shoes, Zaidi shouted: "This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog.
"This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."
In an interview afterwards, Mr Bush insisted he did not harbour any ill feeling about it.
"It was amusing - I've seen a lot of weird things during my presidency, and this may rank up there as one of the weirdest," he said.
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