by Carla G.
Member since:
September 19, 2006

Iraqi Shoe-Thrower Faces Up To 15 Years in Prison

December 17, 2008 01:42 PM EST (Updated: December 17, 2008 01:43 PM EST)
views: 125 | rating: 9/10 (9 votes) | comments: 21

Muntader al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush, appeared before a judge yesterday and admitted to "the action he carried out." Reuters reports that the court decided to keep Zaidi in custody and that after an investigation is completed, "the court may send him for trial under a clause in the Iraqi penal code that makes it an offense to attempt to murder Iraqi or foreign presidents." Abdul Satar Birqadr, a spokesman for Iraq's High Judicial Council, said that al-Zaidi faces up to 15 years in prison. "A less severe charge, insulting the leader of a foreign nation, carries a sentence of up to two years in prison or a fine of 200 Iraqi dinars, about 17 cents," notes the New York Times. Today, a criminal court judge will decide whether there is sufficient cause to try al-Zaidi. Al-Zaidi reportedly was "beaten in custody," according to the BBC. According to his brother, he is also suffering from a broken hand, broken ribs, and internal bleeding. TV al-Sharqiya in Iraq reported that the al-Zaidi had "signs of tortures on his thighs.

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Comments: 21

Kat W. Dec 17, 2008, 1:53pm EST
I understand why he threw the shoes at Bush, many here in the states would love to do the same. Granted, it is wrong to do this to the President, or anyone, but I think 15 years is rather extreme. Maybe 15 days and a fine?

If he has been beaten and tortured, as reported, then this is wrong and troublesome.
Larry H. Dec 17, 2008, 2:03pm EST
I DON'T THINK HE WAS TRYING TO KILL BUSH,
Sandy F. Dec 17, 2008, 2:06pm EST
LOL Larry, poor choice of weapon if he was.

I think Bush should intercede and get him a pardon if Bush really believes in democracy and free speech. A beating and torture is plenty of punishment for speaking your mind in a "free society."
Elizabeth Madrigal Dec 17, 2008, 2:07pm EST
When I heard Bush say, "I don't now what his problem was"... I almost fell over. The Bush Legacy will forever end with that shoe bit, and although I think it was a breach of security for any visiting foreign dignitary (where was our security?), I will forever grin when I remember Bush ducking.

I am not a violent person and I wouldn't want Bush to gain any sympathy from the shoe-throwing, but certainly the journalist will forever be a hero in his own country if not ours and the rest of the world. Yes, yes, yes, I know it was an 'assault', but I vote for the 17 cent fine. (Actually, I'll pay it for him.)
Carla G. Dec 17, 2008, 2:09pm EST
I love your response, Elizabeth. I would also be happy to pay it.

Also, did anyone else notice that Bush himself smiled when the guy threw the first shoe? He thought it was funny.
David K. Dec 17, 2008, 2:10pm EST
The man assaulted a foreign head of state and nearly missed his own Prime Minister. Granted, they were shoes and not some more lethal weapon, but it was an assault nonetheless. Actual assaults on heads of states are normally dealt with harshly (yes, even in America).

I suspect (and hope) that President Bush will vouch for leniency in this regard, but the assault cannot go simply unpunished.

This is a real test of Iraqi justice. What exactly is the proportional punishment in this case? It's an answer that will be fascinating to examine for its psychology and for its ramifications within the country.
David K. Dec 17, 2008, 2:17pm EST
My own sense it that Bush was shocked, as I think any of us in the same situation would have been. Not only is it rare to have shoes thrown at you (especially two of them, and direct hits if Bush wasn't as agile), but Bush and the Iraqi Prime Minister are generally kept in situations where assaults are unexpected.

Bush's initial reaction was appropriate - duck first, then laugh it off. However, I was a bit disappointed with his answers to the inevitable questions from the reporters present. His analogies and other comments were incredibly US-centric, which while not surprising I suppose should have been. After all, we invaded their country nearly 6 years ago - by now we should have at least some sense of how they perceive the situation. So while it was good that he didn't over-react, it would have been nicer if he had been able to respond in a way that showed he understood the Iraqi point of view a bit more.
Carla G. Dec 17, 2008, 2:18pm EST
Thanks for your comments, David. I just hope that they will not give him the maximum sentence. I think that so many of us feel a vicarious satisfaction through his act, as inappropriate and wrong as it was.
Carla G. Dec 17, 2008, 2:19pm EST
And I agree, David, about his response. It was inappropriate and showed little understanding or empathy for what the Iraqis have endured during this war.
Leah Christensen Dec 17, 2008, 2:31pm EST
Way too harsh! He did what we've all reamt of doing.
David K. Dec 17, 2008, 2:32pm EST
Carla - The funny thing is that while I'm not a big fan of Bush, and I can understand the frustration of the journalist, I can't condone violence of any kind when there are other ways to make your point. So I can't even perceive of finding vicarious satisfaction in such a situation. For the most part I see it as a fascinating example of how people can view the same situation from different vantage points. Obviously we all see the world from our own eyes, but to really understand someone you have to at least try to see the world from their eyes. In order to convince someone of your position, you have to understand their position. In the end, understanding each other is the surest way to find common ground, and thus find a resolution that moves you both forward down the path.

Sorry, waxing a bit philosophical there. Long day.
Ada D. Dec 17, 2008, 2:32pm EST
Keep in mind that the man is a journalist who was playing to his intended audience - Iraqis - who would understand the gesture for what it was. It is overreaction to think the reporter was trying to physically injure President Bush rather than just insult him. Americans tend to be more amused than insulted. We mostly don't "get" the intended insult because it is not part of our culture. That being said, it was still a physical assault on a foreign Head of State, and how the Iraqi courts handle this will indeed be a test of their character. Too easy and they show that they are ruled by popular sentiment rather than a set of laws; too harsh and they risk looking like the same kind of repressive state that Saddam Hussein ruled.
David K. Dec 17, 2008, 2:35pm EST
Well said, Ada
Carla G. Dec 17, 2008, 3:10pm EST
David, I appreciate your contributions. You always are thought-provoking and come from a centered place that is not easy to achieve.
Carla G. Dec 17, 2008, 3:10pm EST
And Ada, I think you are correct in your assessment of the situation.
Nunya Business Dec 17, 2008, 3:24pm EST
Sad isn't it? You can invade a country based on absolute lies, kill hundreds of thousands, possibly millions. Kill 4000+ of your own people over those lies, and then later say "So what?"

But if you throw a shoe at the POS that did the above, you get 15 years in a FREE country.

Sickeningly hilarious.
Nunya Business Dec 17, 2008, 3:25pm EST
"The funny thing is that while I'm not a big fan of Bush, and I can understand the frustration of the journalist, I can't condone violence of any kind when there are other ways to make your point."

This is generally where I stand. But I make an exception for Bush and gang. They deserve to be hanged for what they've done.
Sam C. Dec 17, 2008, 9:50pm EST
Politics is politics everywhere. I very much doubt this guy will get much more than a 17 cent fine and a whole lot of press time across the planet. His mistreatment by the Iraqis and perhaps US personale will stoke fires already burning. Upon things like this history turns. At any event Mr. Zaidi and his shoes are forever ensconced in American history.
Wanda H. Dec 18, 2008, 4:41am EST
I would prefer that Bush would simply insist that the man be freed and no punishment given, if indeed, he has been beaten and tortured, then he has paid for his "horrendous crime." I think an equivalent here would be if someone spit on a world leader, or tried to. I can't think it would rate 15 years. It was meant to insult not to harm.

Boy, I cracked up to see old George duck for cover though. I am sure he must have been scared and I am surprised that our security forces weren't more on the ball. Of course, they might not have known to force everyone to remove their shoes. :O:
Carla G. Dec 18, 2008, 10:24am EST
Wanda, George had a smile on his face after the first shoe was thrown. I don't think he was scared, just amused.

I did hear today that Muntader al-Zaidi apologized. Hopefully that will get him released.
Nunya Business Dec 19, 2008, 12:17pm EST
He only apologized to get his arse outta trouble.

You'll never make me believe this man is sorry for what he did. What he did took a lot of balls, and if he's sorry, its only to gain his freedom.

I'm not sorry for anything I've ever said about this scumbag president, and I still wish the shoes had connected.

I'm still hoping for the day they extradited to the hague, tried, convicted and hanged.

I will rejoice on that day. Justice will have been served in full.

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