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Iraq shoe thrower 'was tortured' | Iraq shoe thrower 'was tortured' |
(9 minutes later) | |
The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at former US President George W Bush says he was tortured by senior government officials while in jail. | The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at former US President George W Bush says he was tortured by senior government officials while in jail. |
Shortly after his release from nine months in a Baghdad prison, Muntadar al-Zaidi said he wanted an apology - and would name the officials later. | Shortly after his release from nine months in a Baghdad prison, Muntadar al-Zaidi said he wanted an apology - and would name the officials later. |
His relatives say the 30-year-old reporter still fears for his life. | His relatives say the 30-year-old reporter still fears for his life. |
His protest last December made him a hero among many Arabs, but he was jailed for assaulting a foreign leader. | His protest last December made him a hero among many Arabs, but he was jailed for assaulting a foreign leader. |
And the BBC's Hugh Sykes, in Baghdad, says many in Iraq regarded his actions as unforgivably rude. | And the BBC's Hugh Sykes, in Baghdad, says many in Iraq regarded his actions as unforgivably rude. |
Initially sentenced to three years in jail, he had the term reduced to 12 months on appeal and was released three months early for good behaviour. | Initially sentenced to three years in jail, he had the term reduced to 12 months on appeal and was released three months early for good behaviour. |
Golden horse | Golden horse |
After his release he told reporters: "Today I am free again but my homeland is still a prison." | After his release he told reporters: "Today I am free again but my homeland is still a prison." |
MUNTADAR AL-ZAIDI Worked for Egypt-based broadcaster since 2005Was kidnapped by gunmen while reporting in Baghdad in 2007Detained by US troops for a night in 2008, his brother says, before they freed him and apologised In pictures: Fashion of shoe-ing In the shoe thrower's footsteps Profile: Shoe-throwing reporter | MUNTADAR AL-ZAIDI Worked for Egypt-based broadcaster since 2005Was kidnapped by gunmen while reporting in Baghdad in 2007Detained by US troops for a night in 2008, his brother says, before they freed him and apologised In pictures: Fashion of shoe-ing In the shoe thrower's footsteps Profile: Shoe-throwing reporter |
Reuters reported he was slurring his speech because of a missing tooth. | Reuters reported he was slurring his speech because of a missing tooth. |
He went on to say he had been suffered beatings, whippings and electric shocks at the hands of officials. | |
He said his guards had also used simulated drowning. | |
"At the time that Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said on television that he could not sleep without being reassured on my fate... I was being tortured in the worst ways, beaten with electric cables and iron bars," he said. | |
He demanded an apology from Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and said he would name the officials who tortured him in due course. | |
His allegations of abuse mirror claims made earlier by his family, who said he had been beaten, suffering a broken arm, broken ribs and internal bleeding. | His allegations of abuse mirror claims made earlier by his family, who said he had been beaten, suffering a broken arm, broken ribs and internal bleeding. |
The Iraqi military denied the allegations. | The Iraqi military denied the allegations. |
Zaidi's family has been preparing to hold a party for him, saying he has received offers of money, jobs and even marriage from sympathisers across the Arab world. | Zaidi's family has been preparing to hold a party for him, saying he has received offers of money, jobs and even marriage from sympathisers across the Arab world. |
His relatives also claim he was even offered a golden horse by the Emir of Qatar. | His relatives also claim he was even offered a golden horse by the Emir of Qatar. |
'Goodbye kiss' | 'Goodbye kiss' |
When news of his release filtered through to his family's home in Baghdad, there was an eruption of celebration with women dancing and singing. | When news of his release filtered through to his family's home in Baghdad, there was an eruption of celebration with women dancing and singing. |
His brother, Uday, told a crowd of journalists: "Every time Bush turns a new page in his life he will find Muntadar's shoes waiting for him." | His brother, Uday, told a crowd of journalists: "Every time Bush turns a new page in his life he will find Muntadar's shoes waiting for him." |
He said Zaidi still feared for his life and would fly to Greece for medical check-ups. | He said Zaidi still feared for his life and would fly to Greece for medical check-ups. |
As he flung the shoes at Mr Bush during a news conference with Mr Maliki, Zaidi shouted: "This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog. | As he flung the shoes at Mr Bush during a news conference with Mr Maliki, 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." | "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq." |
The incident was seen as hugely embarrassing for both Mr Bush and Mr Maliki. | The incident was seen as hugely embarrassing for both Mr Bush and Mr Maliki. |
But in an interview afterwards, Mr Bush insisted he did not harbour any ill feeling about it. | But in an interview afterwards, Mr Bush insisted he did not harbour any ill feeling about it. |
"It was amusing - I've seen a lot of weird things during my presidency, and this may rank up there as one of the weirdest," he said. | "It was amusing - I've seen a lot of weird things during my presidency, and this may rank up there as one of the weirdest," he said. |