19 Feb 2009

Expect no apology from Bush shoe thrower

The Iraqi shoe thrower appeared before a Baghdad court today. A short appearance, as it turned out – the case was quickly adjourned.

Muntazer al-Zaidi, the 27 year-old journalist who threw both his shoes at George Bush on the US president’s final visit to Baghdad in December, has not been seen since allegations that he had been beaten up in jail.

As far as I can discover, only al-Zaidi’s brother Durgham has seen him, and even then only in the first days of his incarceration.

But today his lawyer says he has finally been allowed to see him and has found him defiant. He says his client proposes to make no apology to Mr Bush.

The shoe thrower has been widely celebrated in the Middle East and watched extensively on YouTube. There has been grudging respect expressed for the speed and efficiency of Bush’s evasion.

But there is no evidence that Mr Bush has sought either clemency or protection for his assailant.

Unlike China’s Premier Wen Jiabao , who was the subject of a shoe throwing incident in Cambridge three weeks ago, Bush has made no plea for leniency.

Wen – a man not known for his human rights credentials, it must be said – asked that German shoe throwing student Martin Jahnke be treated ‘leniently’.

Jahnke has pleaded not guilty and goes on trial on 10 March – there is no word as to whether the British authorities will take any notice of the Chinese leader’s call.

But given allegations that the Iraqi shoe thrower suffered serious assault during his arrest, the silence of the US authorities (who despite appearances, still hold the ring in Baghdad) is being seen by locals whom I have called in the city, as tacit support for the way he is being treated.

In Saddam Hussein’s home town a giant shoe statute was erected celebrating the shoe thrower. It has now been torn down by local police.

al-Zaidi faces 15 years in jail if he is convicted.

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