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Iraqi shoe thrower to go on trial Iraqi shoe thrower goes on trial
(about 4 hours later)
The Iraqi man who threw his shoes at former US President George W Bush in December is to go on trial in Baghdad. The Iraqi man who threw his shoes at former US President George W Bush in December has gone on trial in Baghdad.
Muntadar al-Zaidi is charged with assaulting a foreign leader and faces a maximum sentence of 15 years.Muntadar al-Zaidi is charged with assaulting a foreign leader and faces a maximum sentence of 15 years.
His lawyers argue he was simply expressing his views in a country where passions are still inflamed after the US-led invasion in 2003.His lawyers argue he was simply expressing his views in a country where passions are still inflamed after the US-led invasion in 2003.
In his first public appearance since his arrest, Mr Zaidi was met in court by applause, ululating and chanting.
The journalist wore an Iraqi flag draped over his shoulders.
He appeared fit and well, despite reports from friends and family that he was badly beaten shortly after his arrest.
The TV reporter achieved global notoriety by his actions, which were celebrated across the Arab world.The TV reporter achieved global notoriety by his actions, which were celebrated across the Arab world.
'Symbol of disrespect''Symbol of disrespect'
The trial is due to open on Thursday morning in Baghdad. Mr Zaidi requested two more lawyers to be added to his already huge defence team, and the judge ordered a short break to consider the request.
However, after an appeal by the defence team, the court may change the charges against Mr Zaidi once the trial is under way. Earlier, the head of his defence team told the BBC they would be pressing for the charges to be dismissed and for Mr Zaidi freed, without delay.
The lesser charge would incur a maximum sentence of two years.
The head of the defence team told the BBC they would be pressing for the charges to be dismissed and Mr Zaidi freed, without delay.
He said Mr Zaidi stood by what he had done and would not be offering any apologies to Mr Bush.He said Mr Zaidi stood by what he had done and would not be offering any apologies to Mr Bush.
Mr Zaidi's lawyers say he was making a legitimate protest
Mr Zaidi's lawyers said earlier that he had simply been expressing his opposition to the US presence in Iraq and that Mr Bush had never been in serious danger.Mr Zaidi's lawyers said earlier that he had simply been expressing his opposition to the US presence in Iraq and that Mr Bush had never been in serious danger.
"Have you ever heard of anyone being killed by a shoe?" lawyer Dhiaa al-Saadi told Reuters in December."Have you ever heard of anyone being killed by a shoe?" lawyer Dhiaa al-Saadi told Reuters in December.
"In Europe, they throw eggs and rotten tomatoes to insult. In Iraq, throwing a shoe is a symbol of disrespect.""In Europe, they throw eggs and rotten tomatoes to insult. In Iraq, throwing a shoe is a symbol of disrespect."
Advertisement The trial is not expected to last long, as the sequence of events is not in dispute.
The incident drew mixed reactions in Iraq
Mr Zaidi threw two shoes at Mr Bush during a press conference in Baghdad on 15 December.Mr Zaidi threw two shoes at Mr Bush during a press conference in Baghdad on 15 December.
He shouted that Mr Bush was "a dog" and the shoes were "a farewell kiss" from those who had been killed, orphaned or widowed in Iraq.He shouted that Mr Bush was "a dog" and the shoes were "a farewell kiss" from those who had been killed, orphaned or widowed in Iraq.
Mr Bush ducked the shoes and appeared untroubled by the incident, joking shortly after that he knew they were a size 10.Mr Bush ducked the shoes and appeared untroubled by the incident, joking shortly after that he knew they were a size 10.
Mr Zaidi was arrested and has been held in custody ever since.Mr Zaidi was arrested and has been held in custody ever since.
His actions were condemned by the Iraqi government as "shameful", but he was celebrated as a hero by thousands in the Arab world, who called for his immediate release from prison.His actions were condemned by the Iraqi government as "shameful", but he was celebrated as a hero by thousands in the Arab world, who called for his immediate release from prison.
Mr Zaidi had been due to go on trial last December, but his trial was postponed after the appeal. Mr Zaidi had been due to go on trial last December, but his trial was postponed.