Release of Iraq shoe thrower delayed

THE Iraqi television reporter jailed for throwing his shoes at former president George W Bush is expected to be released today after a day’s postponement, two of his brothers said yesterday, citing delays in processing his paperwork.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi’s family had gathered outside an Iraqi army base in central Baghdad where he wasexpected to be released from prison.

After waiting more than five hours, his brother Dargham received a phone call from al-Zeidi telling him he would not bereleased until today.

Dargham was in tears as he spoke on the phone to his brother. Other family members cried when he broke the news to them.

Dargham and Uday, al-Zeidi’s other brother, said they would stage a sit-in outside the base until he is released, and they called for other Iraqis to join them.

“We will set up a tent right here on this spot where we will stage a sit-in and we will cut off the road too until they release him,” said Uday.

Al-Zeidi’s act of protest last December made the little-known TV reporter an instant hero across the Arab and Muslim worlds.

He hurled his shoes at Bush as the American president stood next to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki at a Baghdad news conference – an act of protest that resonated throughout the region because even showing the soles of one’s shoes to someone is considered to be highly disrespectful.

Bush, who was unhurt, ducked as the shoes flew past his head. Al-Zeidi was wrestled to the ground by journalists and al-Maliki’s security men.

“This is your farewell kiss, you dog!” al-Zeidi shouted at Bush as he hurled the shoes. “This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq,” he continued.

The family’s disappointment over the delay of al-Zeidi’s release contrasted with their festive mood when they left the family home early yesterday for the al-Muthana military base.

Al-Zeidi, a Shi’ite who turned 30 while in jail, was convicted in March of assault. His three-year prison sentence was reduced to one because he had no criminal record. He was released three months early for good behaviour.