Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush jailed for 3 years

[WI_DEM]

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at then-President George W. Bush was convicted Thursday of assaulting a foreign leader and sentenced to three years in prison, provoking outrage among some Iraqis who consider him a hero.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi's bold act in December electrified many across the Middle East who hailed his defiant act against a president who was widely reviled for his policies in the region, including the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

The 30-year-old journalist pleaded not guilty to the assault charge, telling the three-judge panel that "what I did was a natural response to the occupation."

Reporters and family members were then ordered out of the courtroom for the verdict, which was relayed to them by defense attorneys and a court official. Defense lawyers said al-Zeidi shouted "long live Iraq" when the sentence was imposed.

Some of al-Zeidi's relatives collapsed after the ruling was issued and had to be helped out of the courthouse. Others were forcibly removed by guards after shouting "down with Bush" and "long live Iraq."

"This judiciary is not just," al-Zeidi's brother, Dargham, said tearfully after the verdict was announced.
http://enews.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20090312/49b896d0_3ca6_1552620090312797846691

[mikelgb]

1. year and a half per shoe?

[Johonny]

2. I hope it ends up like the MASH episode

where Hawkeye hits Frank and goes under Tent arrest.

[w4rma]

3. Three years is appropriate. When he gets out he'll be taken care of for life, anyway. (nt)

[hamsterjill]

9. Well, he did miss...

So maybe he deserves some punishment, but I think three years is a little harsh!

[ixion]

4. 3 years... for throwing a shoe... ridiculous.

Is this the democracy we've created by 'liberating' Iraq?

[G_j]

5. that's what you get for throwing shoes at a war criminal..

:shrug:

[WI_DEM]

6. the punishment should have been giving Bush an opportunity to throw a pair of shoes at him

[wtmusic]

7. Sick. And outrageous.

This will backfire. :grr:

[wtmusic]

8. Obama could promote peace in Iraq by getting him pardoned

which, of course, is what Bush should have done.

[w4rma]

10. True. It would be a very tactful gesture to those in the world who are enraged at our nation. (nt)

[Uzybone]

11. Unusually harsh senence....3 years is to much

[blogslut]

12. I hope he survives

The sentence is harsh and wrong but I suppose it could have been worse. I hope he is released early and if not, I hope he survives his sentence, whole and healthy.

[wtmusic]

14. IMO he will "escape" in short order

He has too many supporters in Iraq to stay in the can for long.

[EFerrari]

15. He's a national hero. Maybe it will be overturned on appeal. n/t

[spanone]

13. it's the kind of government bu$h* junior is proud of.