Muntadhar al-Zaidi -
Overview of Shoe-Thrower to Bush:
Muntadhar al-Zaidi - is an Iraqi broadcast journalist who serves as a
correspondent for Cairo-based, Iraqi-owned Al-Baghdadia TV. Al-Zaidi's reports
often highlighted the plight of widows, orphans, and children in the Iraq War.
On November 16, 2007, al-Zaidi was kidnapped by unknown assailants in Baghdad.
He has also been arrested twice by the United States armed forces. On December
14, 2008, al-Zaidi threw his shoes at U.S. president George W. Bush during a
Baghdad press conference. In the ensuing chaos, al-Zaidi suffered injuries as he
was taken into custody. The incident attracted international attention, and al-Zaidi
is currently being held without charges by the Iraqi Police.
Biography
Muntadhar al-Zaidi is 29 years old and unmarried. Al-Zaidi graduated with a
degree in communication from Baghdad University. He is a Iraqi television
journalist, working as a correspondent for Al-Baghdadia TV since 2005. He first
became internationally known for having been detained by "gangs" in Baghdad in
2007 and was also arrested twice by United States armed forces. He lives within
central Baghdad in a two room apartment.
"One of his best reports was on Zahra, a young Iraqi school girl killed by the
occupation forces while en route to school," said Ahmed Alaa, a close friend and
colleague of al-Zaidi's at al-Baghdadia television. Alaa said al-Zaidi
documented the tragedy in his reportage, complete with interviews with her
family, neighbors and friends. "This report earned him the respect of many
Iraqis and won him many hearts in Iraq," he said. Al-Zaidi once also turned down
an offer to work for what he termed "a pro-occupation channel".
Muzhir al-Khafaji, al-Zeidi’s boss at an Egyptian TV station, describes Al-Zaidi
as a "proud Arab and an open-minded man." He added, "He has no ties with the
former regime. His family was arrested under Saddam's regime."
2007 kidnapping
Al-Zaidi first drew international attention on November 16, 2007 when he was
kidnapped on his way to work in central Baghdad. He was released three days
later, on November 19 2007 without ransom. The editor of Al-Baghdadia TV said on
the occasion "This is the act of gangs, because all of Muntadhar's reports are
moderate and unbiased." Al-Zaidi has also been arrested twice by the United
States armed forces in Iraq.
Shoe throwing at George W. Bush
During a press conference at the Prime Minister's Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, al-Zaidi
threw his shoes at United States President George W. Bush. Throwing shoes is an
act of extreme disrespect in both the Arab and Islamic cultures. "This is a
farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog," yelled al-Zaidi in Arabic as he
threw his first shoe towards the U.S. president. "This is for the widows and
orphans and all those killed in Iraq," he shouted as he threw his second shoe.
President Bush ducked twice, avoiding being hit by the shoes. Al-Zaidi was then
pulled to the floor by another journalist, before being grabbed by Prime
Minister Maliki's guards, kicked, and rushed out of the room. White House
spokeswoman Dana Perino was hit in the face by a microphone boom sent flying by
a presidential bodyguard resulting in a clearly visible black eye.
Some Iraqi reporters present at the scene offered apologies to President Bush.
"Thanks for apologizing on behalf of the Iraqi people. It doesn't bother me,"
Mr. Bush joked: "If you want the facts, it's a size 10 shoe that he threw." When
asked about the incident by another reporter, Bush said "It's a way for people
to draw attention. I don't know what the guy's cause was. I didn't feel the
least bit threatened by it." When later asked to reflect on the incident, Bush
said "I didn't have much time to reflect on anything, I was ducking and
dodging." "I'm not angry with the system. I believe that a free society is
emerging, and a free society is necessary for our own security and peace," he
added. "I don't think that you can take one guy throwing his shoe as
representative of the people of Iraq," argued White House Press Secretary Dana
Perino.
Detainment
According to witnesses, al-Zaidi was "severely beaten" by security officers
after he had been dragged out of the room following the shoe-throwing incident.
As the man's screaming could be heard outside, Bush said "That’s what people do
in a free society, draw attention to themselves." A "large blood trail" could be
seen on the carpet where al-Zaidi had been dragged by security agents. Dawa-owned
Afaq TV reported that security forces kicked al-Zaidi and beat him. His family
reports that it has recieved many threatening phone calls. The United States
Secret Service and the Iraqi Police helped take custody of al-Zaidi. Al-Zaidi
was tested for alcohol and drugs, and his shoes were confiscated as evidence.
Al-Zaidi was interrogated by Iraqi and U.S. agents to ascertain whether anyone
paid him to throw his shoes at Bush. In an interview with BBC News, al-Zaidi's
brother, Durgham al-Zaidi, reported that Muntadhar al-Zaidi suffered a broken
hand, broken ribs, internal bleeding, and an eye injury. Durgham al-Zaidi told
Al Jazeera that his brother was tortured. Al-Baghdadia TV said that al-Zaidi was
"seriously injured" during his detention. Iraqi TV Al Sharqiya reported that al-Zaidi
is being held at Camp Cropper.[citation needed] Al Sharqiya also points to signs
of injury on his thighs and an immobile right arm. However, a different brother,
Maitham al-Zaidi, spoke with Muntadhar on the phone and was told: "Thank God I
am in good health."
Al-Zaidi was initially held by the prime minister's guards, and was later turned
over to the Iraqi army's Baghdad command. The command handed him over to the
Iraqi judiciary. Hundreds took to the street to demand his release. Al-Zaidi
could face charges of insulting a foreign leader and the Iraqi prime minister,
who was standing next to Bush. A conviction of these charges would carry a
sentence of up to two years in prison or a small fine — although it's unlikely
he would face the maximum penalty given his newfound "cult status" in the Arab
world, according to a Middle-East observer. An Iraqi lawyer has stated that al-Zaidi
is likely to get at least two years in prison if he is prosecuted for insulting
a visiting head of state. Al-Zaidi went before a judge on December 17, 2008. Al-Zaidi
declined to be represented by Khalil al-Duleimi, who defended the late Iraqi
leader Saddam Hussein before his execution, and also said that he wanted to be
represented by an Iraqi lawyer. "I will introduce myself as his lawyer and
demand the case be closed and Muntadher be released because he did not commit a
crime," said Dheyaa al-Saadi, al-Zaidi's lawyer and head of the Union of Lawyers
in Iraq. "He only freely expressed himself to the occupier, and he has such a
right according to international law." Then on the 17th when al-Zaidi did not
appear in court but instead had allegedly appeared privately before a judge from
within the Green Zone renewed fears for his well-being were expressed through
the world media. It was also unclear whether he had been allowed any legal
representation.