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Iraqi shoe-thrower expected to appear before judge today |
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By: Agencies |
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Date:
2008-12-17 |
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Place: BAGHDAD |
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The Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at US President George W Bush was expected to appear before a judge today in a first step of a complex legal process that could end in a criminal trial, a government official and the reporter's brother said.
Muntazer al-Zaidi has been in custody since Sunday, when he gained folk hero status across the Arab world by throwing his shoes at Bush during a news conference. Bush ducked twice during the bizarre assault and was not injured.
Despite widespread sympathy for his act, Iraqi authorities sent the case to the Central Criminal Court of Iraq, which handles security and terrorism cases. An investigative judge will review the evidence and decide whether al-Zaidi should stand trial a process that could take months.
Iraq officials have recommended charging him with insulting a foreign leader, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment or a small fine. But investigative judges have sweeping powers under Iraqi law to amend and add charges or even dismiss the case.
Al-Baghdadia television, his employer, said al-Zaidi would be represented by the head of the Iraqi lawyers'
association. Scores of lawyers had volunteered to help defend al-Zaidi.
Chavez hails al-Zaidi's 'courage'
Venezuela President Hugo Chavez has said al-Zaidi was acting for his country's people when he tossed his shoes at Bush. Chavez said he doesn't favour throwing shoes at anybody, but that the incident could be called "the shoe toss of a people's dignity". Earlier, Chavez had laughed at the incident and called it "funny". Referring to the shoe-tosser, he said, "What courage!"
Chavez has often railed against Bush, once famously calling him "the devil". |
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