This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8256525.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Iraq shoe thrower 'was tortured' Iraq shoe thrower 'was tortured'
(31 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 demanded an apology - and said he would name the officials later.
His relatives say the 30-year-old reporter still fears for his life. Iraqi officials told the BBC his claims should be investigated.
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 for many Arabs, but some Iraqis still regard it as unforgivably rude.
And the BBC's Hugh Sykes, in Baghdad, says many in Iraq regarded his actions as unforgivably rude. He was convicted of assaulting a foreign leader and initially sentenced to three years in jail.
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. But he had the term reduced to 12 months on appeal and was released three months early for good behaviour.
Golden horse 'Insurgent revolutionary'
After his release he told reporters: "Today I am free again but my homeland is still a prison." After his release on Tuesday he told journalists: "I am free again, but my homeland is still a prison."
Reuters news agency reported he was slurring his speech because of a missing tooth.
He went on to say he had suffered beatings, whippings, electric shocks and simulated drowning at the hands of officials and guards.
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 reporterMUNTADAR 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.
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."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. He demanded an apology from Mr Maliki and said he would name the officials who tortured him in due course.
He also said he feared US intelligence services regarded him as an "insurgent revolutionary" and would "spare no effort" in a bid to kill him.
"I want to warn all my relatives and people close to me that these services will use all means to trap and try to kill and liquidate me either physically, socially or professionally," he said.
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 earlier denied the allegations, but following Zaidi's news conference Sami Al Askari, an adviser to Mr Maliki, said his torture claims should be investigated.
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.
'Goodbye kiss''Goodbye kiss'
Zaidi's family has been preparing to throw a party for him.
He has reportedly received offers of money, jobs and even marriage from across the Arab world.
His relatives also claim he was even offered a golden horse by the Emir of Qatar.
I've seen a lot of weird things during my presidency, and this may rank up there as one of the weirdest George W Bush
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." The shoe-throwing incident came during a joint news conference between Mr Bush and Mr Maliki.
He said Zaidi still feared for his life and would fly to Greece for medical check-ups. As he threw the shoes, 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. 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.