Iraqi Shoe-Throw Journalist Gets 3 Years in Prison

03/12/09  Print This Post Print This Post    4 Comments      Written by Julie Schwietert
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The BBC reported this morning that Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zaidi, more famous for hurling his shoes at former President Bush than for his reportage, has been sentenced to three years in prison as punishment for the incident.

In case you missed the original headline, Zaidi threw both of his shoes at President Bush during a press conference in December 2008.

Zaidi called Bush a “dog”; Bush called the incident “amusing.” 62% of Iraqis, meanwhile, called Zaidi a hero.

Zaidi’s legal team will be appealing the three year sentence.


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About the Author

Matador ID: collazo

Julie Schwietert is the managing editor of Matador Network. She contributed a chapter to the recently published book, The Voluntary Traveler, and is currently working on five features for Fodor's Puerto Rico, 6th Edition.

4 Comments... join the discussion!

  • Eva replied on March 12, 2009

    Gee, I'm sure glad Iraq's a free country now. ;)

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  • joshywashington replied on March 13, 2009

    Such speed! Proof the George was in fact an evil agent of the Matrix!

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  • VagabonderZ replied on March 14, 2009

    Eva, you must remember…who was it now…Chretien?? that got pied – what ever happened to that perpetrator?

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  • Eva replied on March 14, 2009

    Heheh you're right Carlo, I think he's doing hard time in a Yukon labour camp. (In all seriousness… as I recall he faced possible "assault" charges, but nothing really came of it? Of course, he actually hit Chretien with a pie. At worst, the shoe-thrower should get "attempted shoe assault".)

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