BEIJING, Dec. 19 -- An Iraqi journalist who hurled
his shoes at US President George W. Bush apologized to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki for embarrassing him before the watching world, the prime minister's
office said yesterday.
TV reporter Muntazer al-Zaidi shot to instant fame
when he called Bush a "dog" in Arabic at a joint news conference with Maliki in
Baghdad last Sunday and threw both his shoes at Bush in a gesture that is a deep
insult in the Arab world.
"Zaidi said in his letter that his big ugly act
cannot be excused," said Yasin Majeed, Maliki's media adviser.
Majeed said that Zaidi added: "But I remember in the
summer of 2005, I interviewed your Excellency and you told me, 'Come in, this is
your house.' And so I appeal to your fatherly feelings to forgive me."
Zaidi was brought before an investigatory judge on
Tuesday and admitted "aggression against a president," a crime that could carry
a 15-year sentence, judicial officials said. He could face trial soon on the
charge.
Zaidi's attorney says more than 1,000 lawyers have
offered to defend him.
(Source: China Daily)
Iraqi police disperse demonstrators supporting Bush shoe-thrower
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A shoe is raised during a protest against the U.S. President's visit in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday. Dec. 15, 2008. (Photo: CRIOnline.com)
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RAMADI, Iraq, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi police dispersed dozens of demonstrators who took to streets near the city of Ramadi, capital of Anbar province, on Thursday to demand the release of the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush during a news conference four days ago, a local police source said.
Want to throw shoes at Bush? Get on net
BEIJING, Dec. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- A spate of games where the players can try their hands at hitting U.S. President George W. Bush has mushroomed on Internet by Thursday.
In these games, players can hurl footwear at moving
targets of the president and score for unlimited times.
Bush shoe thrower appears in Iraqi
court
BAGHDAD, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi journalist who threw
his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush appeared at an Iraqi court on
Wednesday, Iraqi official television reported.
Muntadhar al-Zaidi, reporter of Cairo-based Baghdadia
Iraqi television, appeared for hearing session before a judge in a court in the
morning, with the presence of his attorney and prosecutor, the Iraqia television
said.
Thousands rally in Iraq to support
Bush shoe thrower
BAGHDAD, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Iraqis have
taken to streets on Tuesday for second day to demand the release of an Iraqi
journalist who threw his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush during a news
conference two days ago.
Iraqis across the country hailed the journalist
Muntadhar al-Zaidi, who worked for Cairo-based Baghdadia television, and praised
his act of throwing shoes at Bush as a heroic action. Full story
Iraqi reporter throws shoes at Bush in
Baghdad
BAGHDAD, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- An Iraqi reporter threw his
shoes at visiting U.S. President George W. Bush and called him a "dog" in Arabic
during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad on
Sunday.
Muntadhar al-Zaidi, reporter of Baghdadiya television
jumped and threw his two shoes one by one at the president, who ducked and thus
narrowly missed being struck, raising chaos in the hall in Baghdad's heavily
fortified green Zone. Full story
