Shoe-throwing journalist jailed for three years

The Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at then-US president George Bush was today sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting a foreign leader.

The decision against Muntadhar al-Zeidi followed a short trial earlier in which the 30-year-old journalist pleaded not guilty to assault charges.

He said his action was a “natural response to the occupation” and shouted “long live Iraq” when the verdict was read.

Al-Zeidi has been in Iraqi custody since he hurled shoes at Mr Bush during a joint news conference with Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki in December.

The action has become one of the iconic images of the nearly six-year-old war.