President Bush 'shoed' off by Iraqi journalist

Wednesday, 17th December 2008

Written by Francesca Cookney

An Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W Bush has been hailed as a national hero, following his release from detention. The US President had to duck as the reporter's shoes narrowly missed his head while he spoke at a news conference with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad on Sunday.

"This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog," yelled the al-Baghdadiya television journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi, as he hurled his footwear at Bush – a move the Arab world considers the worst possible insult. He was dragged from the room by security guards and detained until Monday. His employers, as well as the Iraqi Journalists' Syndicate and hundreds of demonstrators, demanded that he be released "in accordance with the democratic era and the freedom of expression that Iraqis were promised by US authorities."

The Iraqi government has denounced Zaidi's behaviour as "a barbaric and ignominious act" that has brought shame on both the country and its media. Others have applauded him: "Muntazer's act fills Iraqi hearts with pride," said his brother, Udai al-Zaidi. "I'm sure many Iraqis want to do what Muntazer did."

Meanwhile, members of Iraqi parliament were split. Some celebrated the incident while others suggested that, though his protest may be valid, he expressed himself in the wrong way.

Zaidi previously made headlines in 2007 when he was kidnapped by armed men and blindfolded and beaten. No ransom was demanded and he was later released although he never learned the identity of his assailants.

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