Posted on 12/16/2008 5:28:06 AM PST by Schnucki
The brother of the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at US President George W Bush has said that the reporter has been beaten in custody.
Muntadar al-Zaidi has suffered a broken hand, broken ribs and internal bleeding, as well as an eye injury, his older brother, Dargham, told the BBC.
Mr Zaidi threw his shoes at Mr Bush at a news conference, calling him "a dog".
The BBC tried to contact Iraq's top security official but he was not available for comment.
Meanwhile, offers to buy the shoes are being made around the Arab world, reports say.
Mass rallies in support of Mr Zaidi have also been held across Iraq, calling for his release.
Dargham al-Zaidi told the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Baghdad he believed his brother had now been taken to a US military hospital in the Iraqi capital.
Hero figure
Mr Zaidi told our correspondent that despite offers from many lawyers his brother has not been given access to any since being arrested by forces under the command of Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, Iraq's national security adviser.
The Iraqi authorities have said the 28-year-old will be prosecuted under Iraqi law, although it is not yet clear what the charges might be.
Iraqi lawyers have speculated that he could face charges of insulting a foreign leader and the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al Maliki, who was standing next to President Bush during the incident. The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years in jail.
Our correspondent says that the previously little-known journalist from the private Cairo-based al-Baghdadia TV has become a hero to many, not just in Iraq but across the Arab world, for what many saw as a fitting send-off for a deeply unpopular US president.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Maybe he’ll keep his shoes on. Give ‘em h&ll George!
Heard this morning that President Bush said “I saw his sole.”
Was he beaten with shoes?
If the Iraqis still have possession of the shoes, they should burn them immediately then give the perp a new pair with the stars and stripes on them.
My question is this:How did the Secret Service allow the guy time to get a 2nd shoe thrown?He should have been dead by the time the first shoe reached the podium.
And if he threw a shoe at Saddam?
You roll the dice and take a chance. Tough do do. Now having said that, this “reporter” seems to fit the mold and have a bright future in journalism, particularly in the MSM of the US.
A hero? LOL. He’s merely a sad symbol of the uncivilized.
I didn’t see it, but I heard on the radio this morning that Fox News ran a video report of an interview with the Shoe Thrower’s family in which a poster of Che Guevara was visible in the home.
Thank Heaven he didn’t have panties put on his head, THEN there’d be real outrage.
> The Iraqi authorities have said the 28-year-old will be prosecuted under Iraqi law, although it is not yet clear what the charges might be.
> Iraqi lawyers have speculated that he could face charges of insulting a foreign leader and the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al Maliki, who was standing next to President Bush during the incident. The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years in jail.
IMO the charges he ought to face should be no more than Assault and Reckless Endangerment. Give him a fine if he is a first-time offender and discharge without conviction.
There should be no charge for “insulting” — the West is trying to teach these people about Free Speech and political freedoms. Good ol’ President George W Bush led by example today and Good On ‘Im for doing so.
I noticed the slow security reaction as well. Bush’s agent was sitting away from the podium and waited until the second shoe was thrown before he jumped into the picture at which time you can hear Bush say, “I’m alright” Its a good thing it was only a pair of shoes.
He insults and attempts to physically assault the U.S. leader who gives him the freedom to do what he did, then we take him into protective custody to save him from his countrymen who threaten his safety after they arrest him.
This guy just may be the next senator from Illinois!!
Have you run into any Buraq 0bama supporters who deny that he’s a socialist, much less a Marxist?
They usually are unaware of the two campaign offices with Che Guevera flags and the Soviet flag being waved at the post election rally.
Usually, I’ll have to explain who Che Guevera is.
You're dreaming pal. It was a reckless assault which could have put an eye out.
What would have happened to him if he threw a shoe at Saddam?
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