Iraqi shoe-thrower expected to be freed from jail

Muntazer al-Zaidi, the Iraqi reporter who became famous worldwide when he threw his shoes at then US President George W. Bush, is expected to be freed from jail on Monday. Millions of people across the world watched Zaidi hurl his shoes at Bush and call the man who started the war in Iraq a "dog," both great insults in the Middle East. It is thought the journalist will be greeted with a hero's welcome at the Baghdad air base where he is due to be freed. Supporters have already posted banners there. In December 2008 Zaidi's actions towards Bush during the president's farewell visit to Baghdad captured many Iraqis' feelings of resentment following more than six years of bloodshed triggered by the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. However, Zaidi was condemned by the Iraqi government for his "barbaric act" during the news conference Bush held with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, and sentenced to three years in jail for assaulting a visiting head of state. The jail term was later reduced. Muntazer, working for Cairo-based al-Baghdadiya television, has received offers of support from around the world. Venezuela's anti-American President Hugo Chavez called him courageous, Colonel Gaddafi's daughter gave him an award for bravery and fathers from other Arab nations have offered Muntazer their daughters as brides. Abdul Hamid al-Saih, a senior official at Baghdadiya, said the channel had bought Muntazer a home in Baghdad, and that his salary has been paid throughout the jail term. Muntazer's brother, Maitham al-Zaidi, said he had been offered a number of jobs with other Arab media, but was still contemplating his professional future, and had been encouraged by some Iraqi politicians to run in Iraq's parliamentary elections in January.

» More on this story... «

ITN | September 14, 2009

Tags:. .journalist. .politicians. .channel. .professional. .zaidi