Iraqi journalist who hurled shoe at Bush gets early release for good behaviour



Iraqi journalist Muntazar al-Zaidi, who became a star in the Arab world when he hurled his shoes at visiting US President George W. Bush and called him a dog

The Iraqi journalist jailed after hurling his shoes at former President George W. Bush, will be released next month after his sentence was reduced for good behaviour.



Muntadhar al-Zeidi’s act during Bush’s last visit to Iraq as President turned the 30-year-old reporter into a folk hero across the Arab world, amid growing anger at the 2003 invasion.

He has been in custody since the outburst on December 14 last year during a Bush news conference.



The President was forced to duck for cover as the journalist shouted in Arabic:



‘This is your farewell kiss, you dog!



This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq.’



His lawyer, Karim al-Shujairi, said: ‘His release will be a victory for the free and honourable Iraqi media.’





Nuri al-Malik, Iraq's Prime Minister trying to block George W. Bush from being hit with a pair of shoes



