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Bush shoe protester is freed and says: I was beaten and whipped
Alison Richards15 Sep 2009
The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W. Bush claims he was tortured by security forces.
Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who was released from prison today after serving nine months, said he suffered beatings, whippings and electric shocks after his arrest.
His act of protest towards the former US president last December made him a hero around the Arab and Muslim worlds and his release from jail was greeted by a jubilant reception.
He left jail accompanied by several members of parliament, said his brother Uday, who was waiting with other relatives outside the family's home in central Baghdad.
Celebrations erupted outside the home. Women cried out and broke into traditional Iraqi dances.
But speaking at a press conference, Mr al-Zeidi, said he now feared for his life and believed that U.S. intelligence agents would chase after him.
“These fearful services, the U.S. intelligence services and its affiliated services, will spare no efforts to track me as an insurgent revolutionary ... in a bid to kill me,” he told a news conference at the TV station where he works.
“And here 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.
The 30-year-old reporter's act of protest deeply embarrassed Iraq's prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, who was standing beside Bush at a news conference last December when Mr al-Zeidi suddenly shot up from his chair and hurled his shoes toward the podium.
He told Mr Bush: “This is your farewell kiss, you dog!”
Mr Bush, who was on his final visit to Iraq as American president, was unhurt but had to duck twice to avoid being hit.
Mr al-Zeidi was wrestled to the ground by journalists and Mr al-Maliki's security men.
The reporter said today that he was abused immediately after his arrest and the following day. He said he was beaten with iron bars, whipped with cords and was electrocuted in the backyard of the building in the Green Zone where the news conference was held.
“In the morning, I was left in the cold weather after they splashed me with water,” he said.
He promised to reveal the names of senior officials in the Iraqi government and army who he said were involved in mistreating him.
He explained that his actions were motivated by the U.S. occupation of Iraq and said that while he is now free, his country is still “held captive.”
“Simply put, what incited me toward confrontation is the oppression that fell upon my people and how the occupation wanted to humiliate my homeland by placing it under its boots,” he said.
Reader views (4)
He appears to have put on quite a bit of weight. The food must have been pretty good, at least !!!
- Bill A, Marylebone, 15/09/2009 23:50
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Is that all? What is he complaining about. In a Muslim country he would possibly have been executed.
- Vince, London, West London, 15/09/2009 22:24
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For disrespecting a torturer he deserves to be tortured?
I'm sure that logic really will win lots of hearts and minds in Iraq.
- Ian, London, 15/09/2009 14:12
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At worst, his accusations are blatant lies.
At best, he deserved what he got.
- Nowan King, London, 15/09/2009 13:03
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