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Iraq shoe thrower sentence to end Iraq shoe thrower release delayed
(about 3 hours later)
The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at former US President George W Bush during a news conference is due to reach the end of his prison sentence. Relatives of the Iraqi journalist jailed for throwing shoes at former US President George W Bush have been told he will now be released on Tuesday.
Muntadar al-Zaidi, whose act propelled him to the status of hero in the Arab world, is expected to be released from prison shortly. The family of Muntadar al-Zaidi, whose act propelled him to hero status in the Arab world, had expected him to be freed from a Baghdad prison on Monday.
Mr Zaidi, who called Mr Bush "a dog", was convicted of assault in March. Zaidi's brother told journalists he had waited five hours at the jail before being told of the delay.
His family is reported to be preparing a hero's welcome if he leaves prison, as expected, on Monday. Family members said they would stage a sit-in until he is released.
Mr Zaidi's three-year prison sentence was reduced to one because he had a clean record. He is due to be released three months early for good behaviour. Officials have blamed the delay on processing paperwork, his relatives said.
His family is reportedly planning to meet him at the gates of the Baghdad detention centre and then hold a party for him. Zaidi, who called Mr Bush "a dog", was convicted of assault in March.
His three-year prison sentence was reduced to one because he had a clean record. He is due to be released three months early for good behaviour.
Zaidi's family is preparing to hold a party for him and he has received offers of money, jobs and even marriages from sympathisers across the Arab world.
Hero's welcomeHero's welcome
His brother says Mr Zaidi was beaten while in prison, suffering a broken arm, broken ribs and internal bleeding. Those allegations have been rejected by the Iraqi military. His brother, Dargham al-Zaidi, says the journalist was beaten while in prison, suffering a broken arm, broken ribs and internal bleeding. Those allegations have been rejected by the Iraqi military.
Bush shoe-ing worst Arab insult Profile: Shoe-throwing journalist Welcome awaits shoe throwerBush shoe-ing worst Arab insult Profile: Shoe-throwing journalist Welcome awaits shoe thrower
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 some saw as a fitting send-off for a deeply unpopular US president.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 some saw as a fitting send-off for a deeply unpopular US president.
As he flung the shoes, Mr Zaidi shouted: "This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog. This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq." As he flung the shoes, Zaidi shouted: "This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog. This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."
His action was celebrated in internet games and on T-shirts and some people have offered him their daughters in marriage.His action was celebrated in internet games and on T-shirts and some people have offered him their daughters in marriage.
Mr Zaidi, who lives in Baghdad, has worked for al-Baghdadia for three years. Zaidi, who lives in Baghdad, has worked for al-Baghdadia for three years.
A senior official at the channel said his salary had continued to be paid during his prison term and that a home had been bought for him in the capital.A senior official at the channel said his salary had continued to be paid during his prison term and that a home had been bought for him in the capital.
In his work as a reporter, Mr Zaidi was abducted by insurgents and twice held for questioning by US forces in Iraq. In his work as a reporter, Zaidi was abducted by insurgents and twice held for questioning by US forces in Iraq.