Iraqi shoe thrower is free
Iraqi journalist Muntaser al-Saidi has been released after nine months in prison due to good behavior. Saidi had originally been sentenced to three years in prison for throwing his shoe at then-U.S. President George W. Bush.
The Iraqi journalist Muntaser al-Saidi, who became famous for throwing his shoe at the then US President George W. Bush, has been released after nine months in prison. His brother Udai told the AFP news agency in Baghdad on Tuesday. He is still waiting for his belongings, then he will come home. The 30-year-old television journalist was originally sentenced to three years in prison, but an appeals court shortened the sentence for good behavior.
During a Bush visit in December, Al-Saidi had thrown his shoes in the direction of the then US president at a media conference in Baghdad, shouting, "This is your goodbye kiss, you dog! ". Bush ducked away and was not hit. In the Arab world, Al-Saidi's action was cheered. After his release, he is likely to be celebrated like a hero; the Emir of Qatar has already promised him several sports cars.
During a Bush visit in December, Al-Saidi had thrown his shoes in the direction of the then US president at a media conference in Baghdad, shouting, "This is your goodbye kiss, you dog! ". Bush ducked away and was not hit. In the Arab world, Al-Saidi's action was cheered. After his release, he is likely to be celebrated like a hero; the Emir of Qatar has already promised him several sports cars.
