Iraqi Shoe Thrower Tortured Beaten In Prison Middle East Protests George W. Bush Interview About Shoe Throwing

An update, from Siun, or Firedoglake
Raed in the Middle reports:

    Albaghdadia, the TV channel where the Iraqi Journalist Montather Al-Zeidi works, reports that an Iraqi MP (Ms. Zainab Al-Kanani) informed them that Montather’s hand was broken in jail.

    This confirms a lot of reports and rumors about Montather being subject to torture while the Iraqi authorities are interrogating and detaining him in some unspecified location.

and from Roads to Iraq:

    Iraqi TV al-Sharqiya just reported on the news that AL-Zaidi is transferred to Camp Cropper prison [the Airport prison, managed by the American forces].

    The TV Channel announced that Al-Zaidi is in a difficult condition, with broken ribs and signs of tortures on his thighs. Also he can not move his right arm.

The good news is that al-Zaidi is being transferred to a US prison, which means that he will receive responsible care. Abu Ghraib jokes aside, I have a friend who is serving at Camp Bucca. While many innocents are still being held in US prisons without trial, I do believe that al-Zaidi will be treated humanely. source

Iraqi's Protest For Release of Shoe Throwing Journalist at Bush

Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who hurled his shoes at US President George W. Bush on Sunday, has sparked a wave of support in the Arab world. Dozens of Palestinians took part Tuesday in a rally in the Gaza Strip in solidarity with the Iraqi journalist.

The protestors expressed their full support for al-Zeidi's act and called for his immediate release. During the demonstration, they hurled shoes at a picture of Bush and burned flags of the United States and Israel.

Abu Abir, a spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, told Ynet that the journalist represents everything the Arabs think about Bush.

Meanwhile at White House
Bush lights Hanukkah menorah / Yitzhak Benhorin
Outgoing US president hosts reception marking Jewish holiday; candelabrum lit by grandchildren of David Ben-Gurion, Harry Truman
Full story
"In his act he expressed what each and every person in the Arab world thinks and wishes to do. There are people who have made the pages of history in their heroic acts by sacrificing their body in suicide bombings or through scientific inventions.

"This hero Iraqi journalist has made the pages of history by throwing shoes in Bush's face. This is undoubtedly the most outstanding event to take place in 2008, and there's nothing better than this shoe to summarize what the Arab world thinks about this foolish president."

A petition calling for al-Zeidi's release has been distributed on the internet on behalf of the Hadash party.

Al-Zeidi was held Monday in Iraqi custody for investigation and could face charges of insulting a foreign leader and the Iraqi prime minister, who was standing next to Bush. Conviction carries 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.   Meanwhile, the shoe-throwing incident continues to make headlines in the Arab world. The London-based Arabic-language al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper reported Tuesday that Ali al-Sabari, an independent Iraqi parliament member, offered to purchase the shoes for $25,000, while a Saudi businessman offered some $10 million for the same pair of shoes.

Meanwhile, Attorney Firas al-Jabouri, an expert in internal law, announced Monday that he was establishing a legal committee of some 100 lawyers to defend al-Zeidi.

"We immediately formed a front of some 100 lawyers specializing in international law in order to maintain the safety of journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi and have him treated like a prisoner of war. We'll chase them everywhere and provide him with protection," he said.

Multiple Shiite demonstrations were held in recent days in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad Najaf and Basra calling for al-Zeidi's immediate release. Meanwhile, many in the Arab world have expressed their joy over Bush's "humiliation".  source

DISCLAIMER: This posting was submitted by a user of the site not from The Insider editorial staff. All users have acknowledged and agreed that the submission of their story and its contents is in compliance with our Terms of Use.