Bush shoe thrower wanted 'to restore Iraqi pride'

Published on Thursday 19 February 2009 21:03

THE Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George Bush, the then president of the United States, struck a defiant tone as his trial began yesterday – telling the judges he was driven by a desire to restore the pride of his war-ravaged country.

It was Muntadhar al-Zeidi's first public appearance since he was arrested in December for throwing his shoes at Mr Bush during a press conference in Baghdad with Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq's prime minister. The act turned the obscure 30-year-old into a cult hero throughout much of the Middle East.

"What made me do it was the humiliation Iraq has been subjected to due to the US occupation and the murder of innocent people," Zeidi said. "I wanted to restore the pride of the Iraqis."

He also told the court he was tortured with beatings and electric shocks during his interrogation – allegations the Iraqi government has denied.

The trial was adjourned until 12 March for the court to find out whether Mr Bush's visit was "formal or informal". Zeidi's lawyer said he had been charged with assaulting a foreign leader, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.

When throwing his shoes at Mr Bush, he shouted in Arabic: "This is your farewell kiss, you dog! This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

He told the court yesterday he had intended no harm to Mr Bush or embarrassment to Mr Maliki, but he did not apologise for his actions.