Iraq shoe-thrower ‘tortured in jail’

THE Iraqi television reporter jailed for throwing his shoes at former US president George W Bush was freed yesterday and said he was tortured by electric shocks and simulated drowning in custody.

Muntazer al-Zaidi had been behind bars ever since he shouted “it is the farewell kiss, you dog,” at Bush last December 14, seconds before hurling his size-10s at the man who ordered the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Speaking at the office of his employer at the time of the incident, Al-Baghdadia television, Zaidi — who was missing a front tooth — said: “I was tortured with electric shocks, beaten with cables.”