UPDATE:Iraqi Shoe-Throwing Journalist Sentenced to 3 Years In Prison
UPDATE:Iraqi Shoe-Throwing Journalist Sentenced to 3 Years In Prison for Throwing His Shoes At the Past President of The United States, President Bush. Muntadher al-Zaidi, the man seen as a hero in some circles for throwing his shoes at our Ex-President George W. Bush, was sentenced to three years in prison Thursday in an Iraqi court.
Al-Zaidi threw his shoes at Bush during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in December of 2008, in Baghdad.
Neither shoe hit the president, and other people in the room quickly knocked al-Zaidi to the ground before security officials tackled him and hurried him off, arresting him.
Family members and fellow journalists were cleared from the courtroom before Thursday’s verdict. After news of the verdict reached family members, al-Zaidi’s brother appeared close to fainting. Other family members were seen crying and shouting curses about Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and George W. Bush.
Al-Zaidi, who had 17 lawyers, explained his actions during an hour long appearance in February of 2009, in the Central Criminal Court of Iraq. The trial was presided over by 3 judges and a prosecutor asked whether anyone pushed or motivated him.al-Zaidi reply was that he was spurred by the “violations that are committed against the Iraqi people.” During the trial, his family was allowed in the court room.
In the Middle East, throwing shoes at someone is traditionally a sign of contempt and disrespect.
al-Zaidi’s defense team argued that al-Zaidi’s act was an insult, not an assault, because he did not have a weapon on him. His lawyers later told CNN News that he could have faced a prison sentence up to 15 years in an Iraqi prison. It was unclear why he received three years.
For the full story on “UPDATE:Iraqi Shoe-Throwing Journalist Sentenced to 3 Years In Prison,” go to CNN News.
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He did something that a lot of people in the United States wishes they could do so he is in jail for all of us and that is a fact.