by Frank James
Not surprisingly, reports are that the journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush's head last weekend in Baghdad was beaten.
The judge who visited Muntadhar al-Zeidi said he bore signs of being beaten.
Olivier Knox, a journalist with Agence Presse France who was at the press conference where the shoe-throwing took place, said on public radio's Diane Rehm Show this morning that he saw blood on the floor at the place where al-Zeidi was pounced on by the Secret Service and Iraqi security. He assumed it was al-Zeidi's.
Knox also said that in talking to people in the White House he learned that the Secret Service had noticed al-Zeidi acting suspiciously beforehand -- not taking notes, fidgeting and repeatedly stealing glances at security officials. The Secret Service wanted to station an agent in the aisle next to al-Zeidi, Knox said. But Iraqi security vetoed that idea.
Here's an excerpt of an Associated Press story:
BAGHDAD (AP) -- The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush during a news conference was beaten and had bruises around his eyes and other parts of his face, a judge said Friday.
Judge Dhia al-Kinani, the magistrate investigating the incident, said the court has opened a probe into the alleged beating of journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi during the news conference.
Al-Zeidi was wrestled to the ground after throwing his shoes at Bush Sunday as he stood beside Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki at the news conference in Baghdad, and there have been conflicting claims about his condition since then.
The journalist has not been seen in public since his arrest. One of his brothers claimed he had been harshly beaten but another said he seemed to be in good condition.
Al-Zeidi "was beaten in the news conference and we will watch the tape and write an official letter asking for the names of those who assaulted him," the judge told The Associated Press.
The journalist was in custody and was expected to eventually face charges of insulting a foreign leader. A conviction could bring a sentence of two years in prison.
Al-Kinani also confirmed that the journalist had written a letter of apology to al-Maliki. Iraq's president can grant pardons that are requested by the prime minister, but the judge said such a pardon can be issued only after a conviction.
He added that he could not drop the case even though neither Bush nor al-Maliki had complained.
"This case was filed because of an article in the law concerning the protection of the respect of sovereignty," he said.
Comments
The shoe thrower should have yelled "Don't tase me, bro." He might have gotten better treatment.
Posted by: mort | December 19, 2008 12:07 PM
He should have been politely asked to stop throwing things at the President.
Posted by: Bemused | December 19, 2008 12:43 PM
The shoe thrower should be given saint hood. He did to Bush what 99% of the world would have liked to have done to Bush.
Posted by: agent orange | December 19, 2008 2:48 PM
Now he wants a pardon- didn't this goof ball pass a note right before his spoiled toddler imitation saying that he wanted to be a martyr?
Funny how idiots like this,when actually faced with consequences for their actions, suddenly become docile and want to be excused for their actions...
Posted by: heartburn | December 19, 2008 3:22 PM
Funny how idiots like this,when actually faced with consequences for their actions, suddenly become docile and want to be excused for their actions...
Posted by: heartburn | December 19, 2008 3:22 PM
Is that how you explain being a Republican nowdays?
Posted by: slkhn | December 19, 2008 3:37 PM
As per my opinion, what zaidi did was very brave act and all my praise for this brave men for what he did to whom who had changed the face of world and mankind.
10 on 10
Posted by: Asad Abbas | December 20, 2008 12:44 AM
Some hero, I'd have liked to see him try this stunt at a Sadaam press conference.
Send this coward to Gitmo for some charm lessons-
http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Reaganite Republican | December 20, 2008 9:06 AM
Is that how you explain being a Republican nowdays?
Posted by: slkhn | December 19, 2008 3:37 PM
LORD how I wish I'd said that! Actually, what Republicans are doing is to claim they never voted for Bush. That and the "most of the country is 'center-right'" meme.
Posted by: Op109 | December 20, 2008 9:32 AM
Bush should have magnanimously asked the Iraqi government to not prosecute the miscreant, denying him his sacred martyrism.
The shoe thrower and those who believe he did the right thing are either just stupid people or they would be Democrats if they were in the USA - same thing I guess.
Posted by: Hazmet | December 20, 2008 10:42 AM
Some hero, I'd have liked to see him try this stunt at a Sadaam press conference.
Posted by: Reaganite Republican | December 20, 2008 9:06 AM
What are you talking about? Saddam would have given the guy a medal and a million dollar cash reward.
If that shoe had connected with Bush's head we would have heard a hollow sounding thud. There's nothing in there anyway.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx2czGteQeo
.
Posted by: Reagan's dead, get over it already | December 20, 2008 4:13 PM
I'm floored by the support for show thrower here. This wackadoo passed a note to his cameraman saying how happy he is to be a martyr!
How many 1st amendment purists are attacking Bush with that language?
Shoe-dude nothing but an Islamic terrorist!
So you really think if he could've gotten a more potent weapon into the press conference that he would've resisted and merely exercised his free speech/shoe? Are you folks really on that page?
Bush is a clown, but advocating a terrorist who seems a little comical is EXACTLY how terrorists will win... Getting people to look upon this as funny is merely the thin edge of the wedge.
Their next step is convincing Americans that Osama Bin Laden is some kind of Robin Hood for perpetrating 9-11... something that some of you clowns in here seem completely willing to agree to.
Posted by: Show Thrower is a terrorist! | December 26, 2008 10:44 PM
I'm floored by the support for show thrower here. This wackadoo passed a note to his cameraman saying how happy he is to be a martyr!
How many 1st amendment purists are attacking Bush with that language?
Shoe-dude nothing but an Islamic terrorist!
So you really think if he could've gotten a more potent weapon into the press conference that he would've resisted and merely exercised his free speech/shoe? Are you folks really on that page?
Bush is a clown, but advocating a terrorist who seems a little comical is EXACTLY how terrorists will win... Getting people to look upon this as funny is merely the thin edge of the wedge.
Their next step is convincing Americans that Osama Bin Laden is some kind of Robin Hood for perpetrating 9-11... something that some of you clowns in here seem completely willing to agree to.
Posted by: Show Thrower is a terrorist! | December 27, 2008 12:43 AM
He should most definitely get a presidential pardon and it should be from George Bush. It is one of the few opportunities for George Bush to prove that he might be a human being.
By showing the humility and compassion required of an intelligent being that would recognize that this man was doing a heroic gesture representing the horrible abuse and loss of life that has occurred in Iraq because of the decisions made by himself, Mr. Bush would help the American people look at him with a bit less shame.
The fact he did not immediately apologize is humiliating. He had the opportunity at that very conference to say, "I apologize for the loss of life and degradation of life that has occurred in your country because of our occupation. This was not my intension nor is it anything that was desired by the American people." I was ashamed that he came out with such a stupid insensitive remark ... about the size of the shoe.
I am so so sorry that this man has been harmed and hurt and tortured and that he is being held in jail. I implore the Iraqi government and the people in power to PLEASE let this man free! He was merely expressing himself and standing up as a courageous non-hypocritical human being for the loss of life of the women and children and men of his country as well as the horrible pain done to all.
Posted by: Anthony dice | January 1, 2009 12:18 AM